Indian defense minister on Monday said the issue of “illegal and forcible occupation of areas in Jammu and Kashmir by the neighboring nation (Pakistan) remains to be resolved.”
“A part of the territory of the state (JK) is under ‘illegal and forcible’ occupation of Pakistan. The issue that remains to be resolved in Kashmir is the vacation by Pakistan of the area under its illegal occupation,” Indian Defense Minister AK Antony told the Lok Sabha, the lower house of the Indian parliament.
On demilitarization of the Siachen glacier, he claimed: “The area of Siachen glacier is an integral part of India. Government’s principled and consistent position is that the entire state of JK is an integral part of the Indian Union.”
Antony said “India remains committed to resolve all outstanding issues with Pakistan bilaterally and peacefully in accordance with the Simla agreement and Lahore Declaration”.
On Ceasefire Line (CFL) between the two nations, he said: “The CFL has to be interpreted in the light of the Karachi Agreement 1949 and the Simla Agreement 1972. The Line of Control is interpreted to run northwards to glacier from point NJ 9842 and as per the principles of International Law along the watershed formation by the Saltoro Range.”
Pakistan’s ‘illegal occupation of Kashmir’ has to be resolved: India
