India today lodged a strong protest with Pakistan regarding the neighbouring country’s plans to hold “General Elections” to the so-called “Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly” in the Indian territories illegally and forcibly occupied by Pakistan. The elections are scheduled for 7th of this month. India has reiterated its well-known position that the entire Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, including the so-called “Gilgit-Baltistan”, are integral and inalienable parts of India as a result of complete, legal and irrevocable accession of Jammu and Kashmir to India in 1947. The External Affairs Ministry said in a statement that such endeavours by Pakistan cannot mask the underlying issues of grave human rights violations, political repression, economic exploitation and denial of freedom in territories illegally occupied by Pakistan.
New Delhi has categorically rejected any attempts by Pakistan to bring material change to areas under Pakistan’s illegal occupation, and underlined that such actions cannot hide the fact that Pakistan illegally remains in possession of Indian territories, which must be vacated.
