India on Tuesday strongly rejected references to Jammu and Kashmir in a joint statement issued by China and Pakistan, asserting that the Union Territories of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh “have been, are and will always remain integral and inalienable parts of India.”

Responding to media queries, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said India “categorically rejects unwarranted references” to Jammu and Kashmir made in the China-Pakistan joint statement.

“India’s position is consistent and well known to the concerned parties,” Jaiswal said.

“The Union Territories of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh have been, are and will always remain integral and inalienable parts of India. No other country has the locus standi to comment on the same,” he added.

The sharp response came amid renewed references to the Kashmir issue and the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) in the joint statement issued by Beijing and Islamabad.

India reiterated its opposition to CPEC projects passing through Pakistan-occupied territories, saying such moves infringe upon India’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

“As regards the so-called China-Pakistan Economic Corridor projects, some of which are in India’s sovereign territory, we resolutely oppose and reject any moves by other countries to reinforce or legitimise Pakistan’s illegal and forcible occupation of these territories,” Jaiswal said.

The MEA spokesperson noted that India’s concerns over the corridor had been conveyed to both Chinese and Pakistani authorities “several times.”

Jaiswal also dismissed references in the joint statement to “trans-boundary water resources cooperation” between China and Pakistan.

“As the two countries do not share any boundary, the question of so-called ‘trans-boundary water resources cooperation’ does not arise,” he said.

India further reiterated that it has never recognised the so-called 1963 boundary agreement between China and Pakistan involving territories claimed by India.

– Ends

Published On:

May 26, 2026 19:38 IST