Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, June 4: BJP spokesperson and convenor, International Affairs, Gaurav Gupta, has strongly condemned the reference to Jammu & Kashmir in the recent joint statement issued after the EU-Pakistan Strategic Dialogue in Islamabad, terming it an unwarranted intrusion into India’s internal affairs and a diplomatic victory parade orchestrated by Pakistan.
Gupta said the European Union’s decision to allow Pakistan to drag J&K into a joint communiqué is both disappointing and contrary to the established position that bilateral issues between India and Pakistan must be addressed without third-party interference.
“The Union Territories of J&K and Ladakh are integral and inalienable parts of India. No amount of statements issued from Islamabad or Brussels can alter this reality. The Government of India has rightly rejected these unwarranted references, and the EU must understand that it has absolutely no locus standi to comment on India’s sovereign internal matters,” Gupta said.
The BJP leader questioned the wisdom of engaging Pakistan on Kashmir while remaining largely silent on Pakistan-sponsored terrorism that continues to threaten regional peace and stability.
He further said that the EU’s willingness to entertain Pakistan’s narrative on J&K ignores the remarkable transformation witnessed in the region since the abrogation of Article 370. According to Gupta, J&K today is witnessing unprecedented development, infrastructure growth, investment, tourism and grassroots democratic participation under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Taking a swipe at Islamabad’s diplomatic efforts, Gupta said Pakistan is desperately seeking international relevance by resurrecting the Kashmir narrative every time it faces political, economic or credibility crises at home.
“India-EU relations are built on shared democratic values and strategic interests. The EU should not allow Pakistan to misuse diplomatic platforms for pushing an outdated and rejected agenda. J&K is, was and will always remain an inseparable part of India,” Gupta asserted.
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