Hours after Chinese President Xi Jinping’s remarks on Kashmir after his meeting with Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan, India on Wednesday reiterated its stance that other countries must stay away from commenting on the “internal matters” of the country.
India asserted that “it is not for other countries to comment on the internal affairs of India”.
With preparations complete for the meeting between Xi and Modi in Tamil Nadu’s Mahabalipuram, the Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Raveesh Kumar, commenting on a report of the talks between Xi and Imran Khan in Beijing on Wednesday, said: “We have seen the report regarding meeting of Chinese President Xi Jinping with Pakistan’s Prime Minister Imran Khan which also refers to their discussions on Kashmir”.
“India’s position has been consistent and clear that Jammu & Kashmir is an integral part of India. China is well aware of our position. It is not for other countries to comment on the internal affairs of India.”
Chinese President Xi Jinping had on Wednesday said that he was watching the situation in Kashmir and would support Pakistan in issues related to its core interests.
According to a report in Xinhua News Agency, Xi told Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan during a meeting in Beijing that the right and wrong of the situation was clear, adding that the parties should resolve the dispute via peaceful dialogue.
Chinese President Xi Jinping is scheduled to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the second informal summit near Chennai on October 11 and 12.
India has ruled out any scope of discussion between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping on the Kashmir issue, asserting that all countries, including Beijing, have been told categorically and clearly that abrogation of Article 370 is totally an “internal matter” of New Delhi.
Ahead of the informal summit between the two leaders, China has moderated its stand on Kashmir, saying the issue should be resolved between India and Pakistan through dialogue and consultation.
“China’s position on the Kashmir issue is clear and consistent. We call on India and Pakistan to engage in dialogue and consultation on all issues including Kashmir issue and consolidate mutual trust. This is in line with the interest of both countries and common aspiration of the world,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang had said on Tuesday.
Centre had scrapped Article 370, that gave special status to Jammu and Kashmir on August 5.
India has categorically told the international community that the scrapping of Article 370 to revoke the special status of Jammu and Kashmir was an internal matter and also advised Pakistan to accept the reality.