India takes strong objection as Pak, EU joint statement mentions J&K

INDIA on Tuesday strongly rejected references to Jammu and Kashmir in a joint press communique issued after the eighth round of the European Union-Pakistan Strategic Dialogue, asserting that the Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh are integral parts of India and warning against such comments on the issue.

- JAYANTH JACOB

External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal was responding to a joint statement issued following talks between European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas and Pakistan Deputy PM and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar in Islamabad.

The communique stated: “The Pakistan side briefed on the issue of Jammu and Kashmir. The EU side briefed on Russia’s war against Ukraine. Both sides expressed support to peaceful resolution of conflicts through dialogue and diplomacy, in accordance with the principles of the UN Charter.”