India Hits Back At China-Pakistan Over Kashmir Remarks, Opposes CPEC References

India on Tuesday issued a strong response to the latest joint statement released by China and Pakistan, sharply rejecting references to Jammu and Kashmir and opposing fresh remarks linked to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and water cooperation. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said India's position on Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh remains unchanged and firmly non-negotiable.

MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said New Delhi had clearly conveyed its objections to both Beijing and Islamabad several times in the past and would continue to oppose any attempt that undermines India's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

India Reasserts Position On Jammu And Kashmir

Responding to the China-Pakistan joint statement, Randhir Jaiswal said, "India's position is consistent and well-known to the concerned parties. The Union Territories of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh have been, are and will always remain integral and inalienable parts of India."

He further added, "No other country has the locus standi to comment on the same."

The MEA also reacted strongly to references connected to CPEC projects passing through territory claimed by India. According to the ministry, any attempt by foreign countries to legitimise Pakistan's control over these regions directly violates India's sovereignty.

"As regards the so-called China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects, some of which are in India's sovereign territory, we resolutely oppose and reject any moves by other countries to reinforce or legitimise Pakistan's illegal and forcible occupation of these territories, impinging on India's sovereignty and territorial integrity. This has been clearly conveyed to Pakistani and Chinese authorities several times," Jaiswal said.

MEA Rejects 'Trans-Boundary Water Cooperation' Claim

India also dismissed references in the statement regarding "trans-boundary water resources cooperation" between China and Pakistan.

The MEA pointed out that China and Pakistan do not directly share a boundary through which such cooperation could exist without involving Indian territory.

"We have also seen references to the so-called 'trans-boundary water resources cooperation' between China and Pakistan," the MEA statement further read, "As the two countries do not share any boundary, the question of so-called 'trans-boundary water resources cooperation' does not arise. India has never recognised the so-called 1963 boundary agreement between Pakistan and China."

The remarks once again brought attention to the 1963 agreement under which Pakistan ceded territory in the Shaksgam Valley to China, a move India has consistently termed illegal.

Why The References Matter

The references to Jammu and Kashmir and water cooperation in the China-Pakistan statement are being viewed as part of Beijing's continuing effort to support Islamabad diplomatically while maintaining pressure on India over sensitive strategic issues.

China also once again secured Pakistan's reaffirmation of the 'One China Policy', under which Islamabad recognises Taiwan as part of China. Beijing routinely expects visiting foreign leaders to publicly endorse this position during high-level engagements.

The latest statement further highlighted China's continued unwillingness to soften its position in matters involving Pakistan, which remains one of Beijing's closest strategic allies.

Observers also believe China wants Pakistan to eventually allow Gwadar to operate as a Chinese naval facility in the North Arabian Sea near the Persian Gulf, increasing Beijing's strategic footprint in the region.

What The China-Pakistan Joint Statement Said

The joint statement was issued at the end of Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's official visit to China from May 23 to 26. During the visit, Sharif held separate talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang.

Both sides said they had reached a broad consensus on deepening the China-Pakistan All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership.

The Pakistani Prime Minister also attended events marking the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

According to the statement, the Pakistani side briefed China on the latest developments in Jammu and Kashmir, following which Beijing said the issue should be resolved in accordance with the UN Charter.

The statement also mentioned that the two countries expressed readiness to conduct "trans-boundary water resources cooperation", though no further details were provided.