‘Predictable Diplomatic Theatre’: India Hits Back at Pakistan on J&K

India on Wednesday strongly rejected Pakistan's remarks marking the so-called Youm-e-Istehsal-observed by Islamabad on the anniversary of the constitutional changes introduced in Jammu and Kashmir on August 5, 2019. In a statement issued in response to media queries, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal described Pakistan's comments as a "political absurdity" and an attempt to spread malicious propaganda against India.

The Ministry of External Affairs said the Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh have always been, and will remain, an integral and inalienable part of India.

The statement added that the constitutional changes introduced on August 5, 2019 have brought unprecedented socio-economic development, good governance and democratic empowerment to the people of the region. It further said Pakistan has no locus standi to comment on matters that are strictly internal to India.