New Delhi: India on Wednesday reiterated that Jammu and Kashmir is an internal matter of India and thereby rejected the “uncalled reference” to it by the Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi during his speech at a function in Pakistan. “Matters related to the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir are entirely the internal affairs of India. Other countries including China have no locus standi to comment. They should note that India refrains from public judgement of their internal issues,” ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi told reporters today in response to queries on the Chinese Foreign Minister’s speech.
Mr Wang’s statement while making a reference to Kashmir in his opening speech at the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation in Pakistan. “On Kashmir, we have heard again today the calls of many of our Islamic friends. And China shares the same hope,” he had said.
India’s rejection to Mr Wang’s statement comes amid the hectic consultations between the two sides over a possible visit by him to New Delhi within two days.
China has time and again reiterated its support to the stand of Pakistan — its strategic ally — on the matter of Jammu and Kashmir.
Last month, India rejected the references to Jammu and Kashmir in a China-Pakistan joint statement, asserting that the region as well as the Union Territory of Ladakh “have been, are and will” remain integral and inalienable parts of India.
Following talks between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan in Beijing on February 6, the two countries released a joint statement. Mr Bagchi stated that India has “always rejected such analogies,” adding that “China and Pakistan are well aware of our views.”
China restated its support for Pakistan on the subject of Jammu and Kashmir in July of last year, stating it opposes any unilateral action that could worsen the situation.
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