China has dismissed the recent verdict by the Indian Supreme Court endorsing the revocation of Article 370 and the establishment of Ladakh as a Union Territory (UT). In a media briefing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning clarified that China does not acknowledge the union territory of Ladakh, asserting it was unilaterally and illegally established by India. According to Mao, this internal judicial decision does not impact the status of the western section of the China-India border, which China claims as an integral part of its territory.
Mao reiterated China’s longstanding position on the Kashmir conflict, emphasizing the need for a peaceful and proper resolution in line with the UN Charter, Security Council resolutions, and relevant bilateral agreements. Despite the Supreme Court directing the restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir and setting a deadline for assembly elections by September 30, 2024, China maintains its stance on Ladakh.
Pakistan has reacted strongly to the Supreme Court’s verdict, stating that international law does not recognize India’s abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir. Caretaker Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani asserted that India has no right to make unilateral decisions on the status of the disputed territory against the will of the Kashmiri people and Pakistan. Jilani emphasized that Pakistan does not acknowledge the supremacy of the Indian Constitution over Jammu and Kashmir, and any process subservient to the Indian Constitution carries no legal significance.
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