India slams China over comments on J-K

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, April 9

India on Thursday asked China to refrain from commenting on its internal affairs and recognise the fact that the most pressing issue in the lives of the people of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) is the “scourge of cross-border terrorism”.

The Indian reaction was in response to the spokesperson of China’s Permanent Mission to the UN stating that the issue of Kashmir remains high on the UNSC’s agenda and that China is very closely monitoring the current situation in occupied Kashmir.

The Chinese spokesperson had begun by rejecting Indian media reports that Beijing had turned down Pakistan’s call for urgent consideration of the situation in Kashmir during its presidency of UNSC in the month of March. Opposing any unilateral action by India in J&K, he said China wanted a peaceful resolution of issue according to UN charter and resolutions.

The spokesperson also reiterated that China’s stance on the Kashmir remains unchanged, calling it a dispute left from history.

In response, MEA spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said China is well aware of India’s “consistent position” on this issue. “The UT of J&K has been, is and shall continue to be an integral part of India. Issues related to J&K are internal matter to India,” he added.