J-K status change: India asks China not to comment on internal affairs

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, August 5

In a terse observation, India advised the Chinese side not to comment on the internal affairs of other nations after its Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) said any unilateral change to the status quo in the Kashmir region is illegal and invalid.

“The Chinese side has no locus standi whatsoever on this matter,’’ said the Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Anurag Srivastava after MFA China spokesperson Wang Wenbin dwelt at length on the issue following a question put by a Pakistani media person.

Asked to comment on China’s position a year after changes in Jammu and Kashmir, Wang put out a three-point formulation, most of which was a reiteration of its earlier position. Wang said, first, the Kashmir issue is a dispute left over from history between Pakistan and India, established by the UN Charter, relevant UNSC resolutions and bilateral agreements between Pakistan and India.

Second, any unilateral change to the status quo in the Kashmir region is illegal and invalid. Third, the Kashmir region issue should be properly and peacefully resolved through dialogue and consultation between the parties concerned.

China also said Pakistan and India are neighbours that cannot be moved away. Harmony between the two countries serves the fundamental interests of both sides and the common aspiration of the international community. “China sincerely hopes that the two sides can properly handle differences through dialogue, improve relations and jointly safeguard peace, stability and development of the two countries and the region,’’ said Wang.

“We have noted the comments of the Chinese MFA spokesperson on the Indian Union Territory of J&K,’’ added Srivastava.