The government has rejected the reference to Jammu and Kashmir, as well as the idea of a Chinese-Pakistan economic corridor traversing the region, made in a joint statement between the two countries on Wednesday, asserting that both regions and Ladakh have always been integral parts of India.
In response to the reference made in the statement to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), spokesperson for India’s External Affairs Ministry Arindam Bagchi said that India has consistently conveyed its concerns about the project to China and Pakistan.
Bagchi stressed that India will oppose any efforts by other countries, as well as by Pakistan, to change the status quo in areas under Islamabad’s illegal occupation.
The joint statement by China and Pakistan was issued on February 6 following talks in Beijing between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan.
India has been severely critical of the BRI as the $50 billion corridor passes through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).
