NEW DELHI, June 2:
Reacting strongly to the upcoming elections in Gilgit and Baltistan on June 8, India today said it is an attempt by Pakistan to “camouflage its forcible and illegal occupation” of the regions which are integral part of the country.
Official Spokesperson in the External Affairs Ministry Vikas Swarup also expressed concern at the “continued efforts” by Pakistan to deny the people of the region their political rights and to absorb these territories.
“India’s position is well known. The entire State of Jammu and Kashmir which includes the regions of Gilgit and Baltistan is an integral part of India. The election in Gilgit and Baltistan on June 8 under the so called ‘Gilgit Baltistan Empowerment and Self Government Order’ is an attempt by Pakistan to camouflage its forcible and illegal occupation of the regions.
“We are concerned at the continued efforts by Pakistan to deny the people of the region their political rights, and the efforts being made to absorb these territories. The fact that a Federal Minister of Pakistan is also the ‘Governor of Gilgit Baltistan’ speaks for itself,” the spokesperson said.
He noted that “unfortunately, in recent times the people of the region have also become victims of sectarian conflict, terrorism and extreme economic hardship due to Pakistan’s occupationary policies.”
Meanwhile, Union Minister Jitendra Singh accused Pakistan of doing “mischief” in the matter.
“As far as India is concerned, its position with relation to the erstwhile Jammu and Kashmir is very clear. The 1994 resolution of the Parliament, which was unanimously passed, clearly states that if at all there is any issue left between India and Pakistan, it is to retrieve the portion of erstwhile J-K which continues to remain in the illegal occupation of Pakistan,” he said.
“Let me also add that as far as the Gilgit-Baltistan area is concerned, as for the Pakistan Constitution itself also, it does not form a part of Pakistan,” he further stated.
Singh, the Minister of State in Prime Minister’s Office, said that given such a situation, “it is not only objectionable, but also smacks of a certain amount of mischief on the part of Pakistan. Therefore, it is a matter of satisfaction that the Ministry of External Affairs has taken due notice and also made its objections very clear”. (PTI)
Follow our WhatsApp channel