India on Tuesday launched a sharp riposte to a joint statement issued by Pakistan and China, rejecting references to the so-called “China-Pakistan Economic Corridor” (CPEC) and what it termed “patently unacceptable” assertions regarding the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) issued a strongly worded rebuttal hours after the joint statement was released following delegation-level talks between Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chinese Premier Li Qiang in Islamabad.
India’s counter-statement
“We have seen the joint statement issued during the visit of the Chinese Premier to Pakistan. The joint statement refers to the so-called China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), which passes through territory that is an integral part of India,” the MEA statement read.
The Ministry added: “The joint statement also contains references to the Indian Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, which are patently unacceptable. The Government of India has consistently and firmly opposed the so-called CPEC, as it is situated in territory illegally occupied by Pakistan.”
India further accused both countries of “continuing efforts to mask the illegality of their actions” and insisted that the entire territory of Jammu and Kashmir — including the areas referred to in the joint statement — “is, has been, and will always be an integral and inalienable part of India.”
What the Pakistan-China joint statement said
The joint statement, issued after the talks between Sharif and Li, reiterated China and Pakistan’s “support for the Kashmiri people’s right to self-determination.” It also called for the “peaceful resolution” of the Kashmir issue “in accordance with the UN Charter and relevant Security Council resolutions.”
Additionally, the statement reaffirmed the “continued implementation” of CPEC, China’s flagship Belt and Road Initiative project, which traverses Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) — a region India considers illegally occupied territory.
India’s historical position
India has consistently rejected the reference to the UN Charter or Security Council resolutions on the Kashmir issue. New Delhi’s position — repeatedly articulated at the UN and in bilateral forums — is that the only outstanding issue between India and Pakistan is the “illegal occupation” of Indian territory by Pakistan, not any question of self-determination.
In 2019, India abrogated Article 370 of its Constitution, removing the special status of Jammu and Kashmir and reorganising the region into two Union Territories — a move the government said ended any ambiguity about Kashmir’s integration with India.
CPEC: A persistent flashpoint
CPEC has been a source of friction between India and China, given that a portion of the corridor passes through PoK. Beijing has funded and built multiple infrastructure projects in the region, including roads, power plants, and a deep-sea port at Gwadar in Balochistan.
India has repeatedly asked China to “respect its territorial integrity” and has objected to Chinese officials visiting PoK for CPEC-related activities.
Timing of the statement
The joint statement came at a time of heightened geopolitical flux in the region. India has been engaging with both Pakistan and China on separate fronts — trade talks with Pakistan have resumed after a six-year gap, while border talks with China continue over eastern Ladakh.
However, India’s strong rebuttal indicates that while economic and diplomatic channels may be open, New Delhi will not soften its position on territorial claims or accept any third-party mediation on Kashmir.
MEA’s concluding warning
India’s statement concluded with a warning to both nations: “The Government of India calls upon Pakistan and China to desist from such actions that constitute interference in India’s internal affairs. The Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India, and any attempts to undermine India’s sovereignty will be met with a firm and appropriate response.”
The sharp exchange suggests that while trade may be easing, the underlying territorial disputes remain as entrenched as ever — and neither India, nor its neighbours, are willing to blink first.
