India on Tuesday, 26 May categorically rejected what it called 'unwarranted references' to the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir in the joint statement issued by China and Pakistan following a high-level meeting in Beijing, asserting that no third country holds the standing to comment on Indian territory. The sharp rebuke came through Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, responding to media queries on the matter.

India's Categorical Rejection

MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated: 'India categorically rejects unwarranted references to the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir in the Joint Statement between China and Pakistan.' He further reiterated New Delhi's long-standing position: 'The Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh have been, are and will always remain integral and inalienable parts of India. No other country has the locus standi to comment on the same.'

What Triggered the Response

The joint statement followed a meeting in Beijing between Chinese President Xi Jinping and visiting Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday. During the talks, President Xi spoke of accelerating a closer China-Pakistan community with a 'shared future' in the new era. Separately, Pakistan Army Chief General Asim Munir met Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and assured him that the Pakistani military would continue to 'fully promote' the building of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and the broader bilateral community framework.

India's Stand on CPEC

New Delhi has consistently maintained that CPEC — a flagship project under China's One Belt One Road (OBOR/BRI) initiative — directly violates India's sovereignty and territorial integrity, as portions of the corridor pass through territory India considers its own. Jaiswal reiterated on Tuesday: 'We resolutely oppose and reject any moves by other countries to reinforce or legitimise Pakistan's illegal and forcible occupation of these territories, impinging on India's sovereignty and territorial integrity. This has been clearly conveyed to Pakistani and Chinese authorities several times.'

India Disputes 'Trans-Boundary Water' Reference Too

The MEA also pushed back on references to so-called 'trans-boundary water resources cooperation' between China and Pakistan, arguing the premise itself is flawed. 'As the two countries do not share any boundary, the question of so-called trans-boundary water resources cooperation does not arise,' Jaiswal said. He added that India has never recognised the 1963 boundary agreement between Pakistan and China, which New Delhi regards as illegitimate.

Context and Broader Implications

This is not the first time India has objected to joint China-Pakistan references on Jammu and Kashmir or CPEC — New Delhi has issued similar rejections repeatedly over the years. The latest statement comes at a particularly sensitive moment, with India-Pakistan tensions elevated following recent military confrontations and ongoing diplomatic strain. The Beijing meeting between Sharif and Xi signals continued deepening of the China-Pakistan strategic partnership, a dynamic that New Delhi watches closely. India's firm public rebuttal underscores that any internationalisation of the Kashmir issue — however indirect — will be met with an immediate and unequivocal response.