India, Pakistan Exchange Barbs Over Kashmir And Polls In PoK

India today rejected the recent elections in PoK which were won by Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan's party, saying the "cosmetic exercise" was nothing but an attempt by Pakistan to "camouflage its illegal occupation" and that it has lodged a strong protest over the issue.

Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi also strongly objected to references made to Jammu and Kashmir in a recent joint press statement by Pakistan and China, asserting that the Union Territories of J&K and Ladakh have been and will remain an integral and inalienable part of India.

Reacting strongly on the elections in the Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir, the spokesperson said Pakistan has "no locus standi on these Indian territories" and it must vacate all Indian areas under its illegal occupation.