SRINAGAR: India on Friday accused China of violating its sovereignty by illegally occupying Indian territory in Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, while reiterating its objection to Chinese infrastructure projects in those areas.
Speaking at the Ministry of External Affairs’ weekly media briefing, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said India has consistently respected China’s sovereignty, but Beijing continues to occupy Indian territory and undertake projects in areas that belong to India.
“When it comes to sovereignty issues, it is actually India that should be and is raising them. India does not violate China’s sovereignty in any manner and has been consistent,” Jaiswal said.
He added that China has been “in illegal occupation of Indian territories in Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh since 1963”, and said India objects to Chinese projects being carried out in those territories.
The remarks came a day after External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on the sidelines of the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Manila.
