Staff Reporter / NEW DELHI
India has said any action by Pakistan to alter the status of the militarily occupied so-called “Gilgit-Baltistan” has no legal basis whatsoever and is totally ‘void ab-initio’.
Replying to media query on statements by the Pakistani leadership and media reports, India’s External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said India’s position has always been clear and consistent.
He said the entire territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh have been and are an integral part of India and would remain so.
He stated that Pakistan has no locus standi to comment on India’s internal matters.
On Jammu and Kashmir issue raised in CICA and SAARC Meeting by Pakistan, the spokesperson said it is very typical of Pakistan to use such fora to raise bilateral and contentious issues which is inconsistent with the principles and charter of such organizations and their meetings.
He asked what else can be expected of a country that indulges in cross-border terrorism as a part of its state policy.
Responding to another query on Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s remarks on Jammu and Kashmir, Mr Srivastava said the remarks constitute a gross interference in India’s internal affairs and are completely unacceptable.
He said Turkey should learn to respect the sovereignty of other nations and reflect on its own policies more deeply.