NEW DELHI, Oct 15:
India today asserted that the Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh “have been, are, and would” remain an integral part of the country, insisting that China has no locus standi to comment on its internal matters.
The comments by External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Anurag Srivastava came in response to China’s contention that it does not recognise the Union Territory of Ladakh as well as the state of Arunachal Pradesh.
“Our position on this has always been clear and consistent. The Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh have been, are, and would remain an integral part of India. China has no locus standi to comment on India’s internal matters,” Srivastava said at a media briefing.
“We hope that countries will not comment on India’s internal matters, as much as they expect the same of others,” he added.
Srivastava also said that Arunachal Pradesh is an “integral and inalienable” part of India.
“Our position on Arunachal Pradesh has also been made clear several times. Arunachal Pradesh is an integral and inalienable part of India. This fact has also been clearly conveyed to the Chinese side on several occasions, including at the highest level,” he added.
On the border standoff in Eastern Ladakh and the outcome of the bilateral military talks, Srivastava referred to a joint press statement issued by the two armies after their dialogue on October 12, calling the meeting “positive and constructive”.
“Disengagement is a complex process that requires redeployment of troops by each side towards their regular posts on their respective sides of the LAC,” Srivastava said.
“To achieve this, the two sides will maintain the current momentum of communications based on the guidance of our leadership to not to turn differences into disputes and work towards a mutually acceptable solution for complete disengagement in all the friction areas along the Line of Actual Control(LAC) and restoration of peace and tranquility in the India-China border areas,” he added.
Meanwhile, India today rubbished the claim by Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan’s Advisor on national security that New Delhi has sent a message to Islamabad indicating a desire for talks between the two countries.
“As regards the purported message, let me make it clear that no such message was sent from our side,” Srivastava said.
He was replying to questions at a media briefing on remarks by Pakistan PM’s Advisor on national security Moeed Yusuf during an interview to news website The Wire that India has sent a message to Pakistan with a desire for conversation.
In the interview, Yusuf commented on a variety of issues including on Kashmir.
“We have seen reports on the interview by a senior Pakistani official to an Indian media outlet. He has commented on India’s internal matters,” Srivastava said.
“As always, this is Pakistan’s effort to divert attention from domestic failures of the present Government and mislead its domestic constituents by pulling India into headlines on a daily basis,” he added.
Srivastava said the official is well advised to restrict his counsel to his establishment and not to comment on India’s domestic policy.
“The statements made by him are contrary to facts on the ground, misleading and fictitious,” the MEA spokesperson said.
In reply to a separate question, Srivastava said India will deliver a kilo class submarine to the Myanmar Navy. (PTI)
Trending Now
E-Paper
Follow our WhatsApp channel