——- FO strongly condemns characterisation of IIOJK as “part of India”
——- Says envoy’s irresponsible remarks contradict US IIOJK stance
WASHINGTON/ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday summoned the US Charge d’ Affaires in Islamabad to lodge a strong demarche over the factually incorrect remarks of the US Ambassador to India, regarding the status of Kashmir during his visit to Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).
United States Ambassador to India Sergio Gor, who visited the occupied region today, called IIOJK “an important part of India”, despite Kashmir being an internationally recognised disputed territory under international law. In a statement, the FO strongly condemned and categorically rejected the characterisation of IIOJK as a “part of India”.
The FO spokesperson said that it was underscored that the IIOJK is an internationally recognised disputed territory, awaiting final disposition in accordance with the relevant UNSC resolutions and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people.
“It was highlighted that the irresponsible statement by the US ambassador negated the long-standing and well-documented position of the US on the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, and also ran contrary to the US’s commitment to supremacy of international law and the UN Charter,” read the statement.
While appreciating President Donald Trump’s offer to mediate between India and Pakistan to resolve the Kashmir dispute in the aftermath of Marka-e-Haq, the spokesperson said that the US side was urged to ensure that its public statements remain consistent with the disputed status of the IIOJK.
Last year in June, Trump had offered to help mediate the longstanding Kashmir dispute between India and Pakistan, stressing that he could solve the issue between the two nuclear-armed nations. The US president had repeated his willingness to assist both countries in finding a peaceful solution to the decades-old conflict.
Pakistan has repeatedly called upon India to vacate all occupied territories and reverse all illegal and unilateral actions in IIOJK, particularly those taken since August 5, 2019.
Islamabad has also urged New Delhi to repeal all draconian laws and allow access to neutral observers, international human rights and humanitarian organisations, as well as the international media, to ascertain the situation on the ground. Pakistan maintains that India must enable the Kashmiri people to exercise their right to self-determination in accordance with the relevant UN Security Council resolutions.
