India on Tuesday issued a sharp response to the latest joint statement by China and Pakistan, firmly rejecting references to Jammu and Kashmir and opposing any attempts to legitimise the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) in territories claimed by New Delhi.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) reiterated that Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh remain an “integral and inalienable” part of India, while also dismissing China and Pakistan’s mention of “trans-boundary water resources cooperation.”
The diplomatic exchange came after Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif concluded his four-day visit to China, where he held talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang.
India Rejects China-Pakistan Remarks on Kashmir
Responding to the joint statement, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said India’s stand on Jammu and Kashmir has remained unchanged.
“The Union Territories of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh have been, are and will always remain integral and inalienable parts of India,” he said.
The MEA also stressed that no foreign country has the authority to comment on India’s internal matters related to Kashmir.
India further objected to references made about the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, pointing out that several CPEC projects pass through territories New Delhi considers illegally occupied by Pakistan.
India Opposes CPEC Projects in Pakistan-Occupied Territories
India once again raised concerns over the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, a major infrastructure initiative linked to China’s Belt and Road strategy.
According to the MEA, India “resolutely opposes” any project that undermines its sovereignty and territorial integrity.
New Delhi has repeatedly argued that portions of the CPEC route pass through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), making the project unacceptable from India’s perspective.
Officials also referred to Pakistan’s 1963 boundary agreement with China involving the Shaksgam Valley, saying India has never recognised the arrangement.
Water Resources Mention Sparks Fresh Tensions
India also pushed back against the joint statement’s mention of “trans-boundary water resources cooperation” between China and Pakistan.
The MEA argued that China and Pakistan do not directly share a boundary in the region without passing through Indian territory, making such references politically sensitive.
The issue has added another layer to the already tense regional dynamics involving Kashmir, border disputes and strategic infrastructure projects.
What the China-Pakistan Joint Statement Said
The joint statement was released after meetings between Shehbaz Sharif and top Chinese leaders in Beijing.
Both countries said they had agreed to deepen their “All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership” and expand cooperation in several sectors.
China also reiterated its position that the Kashmir issue should be resolved under the framework of the UN Charter.
The statement additionally highlighted future cooperation on regional connectivity and water resources.
Why the Development Matters
The latest exchange signals continuing friction between India and the China-Pakistan alliance over Kashmir and strategic infrastructure in the region.
Experts believe the references to Kashmir and water cooperation reflect Beijing’s continued support for Islamabad on key geopolitical issues.
India, however, has maintained that matters related to Jammu and Kashmir are strictly internal and has consistently opposed international commentary on the issue.
As regional tensions remain high, the diplomatic messaging from all three countries is likely to be closely watched in the coming weeks.
