India on Tuesday firmly objected to references made about Jammu and Kashmir in a joint communiqué issued after the eighth round of the European Union-Pakistan Strategic Dialogue, reiterating that the issue is an internal matter and not open to external commentary. Addressing the weekly media briefing, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said New Delhi does not accept what it described as unnecessary remarks concerning India's sovereign affairs. He emphasized that the Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh are inseparable parts of the country.

According to Jaiswal, individuals, organizations, or governments that have no direct standing on the matter should refrain from making observations regarding issues that fall entirely within India's domestic jurisdiction. The statement came in response to a joint communication released after discussions between the European Union and Pakistan. The document noted that Pakistan had briefed EU representatives on developments related to Jammu and Kashmir, while the European side provided updates regarding the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

India's latest remarks are in line with its consistent position on the region. Last month, New Delhi also rejected references to Jammu and Kashmir contained in a joint statement issued by China and Pakistan following high-level talks between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

At the time, the MEA maintained that Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh remain integral parts of India and that no foreign government has the authority to comment on the matter. India also reiterated its opposition to projects under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) that pass through territories claimed by India.

Jaiswal stated that New Delhi considers such projects a violation of its sovereignty and territorial integrity, arguing that they effectively legitimize Pakistan's control over areas that India regards as its own territory. He added that India's concerns have been communicated repeatedly to both Chinese and Pakistani authorities.

The MEA spokesperson also dismissed references to cross-border water cooperation between China and Pakistan, arguing that the two countries do not share a direct boundary in the region under discussion. He further reiterated India's position that it does not recognize the boundary agreement signed between China and Pakistan in 1963.

The Chinese-Pakistani joint statement had noted that Pakistan briefed Beijing on recent developments concerning Jammu and Kashmir. It also stated that China believes the issue should be resolved peacefully in accordance with the principles of the UN Charter, relevant UN Security Council resolutions, and bilateral agreements. India, however, has once again made clear that it views Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh as internal matters and rejects any external references to the region in international statements or diplomatic communications.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from ANI.