India has strongly rejected the so-called local elections held in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK), calling them a “farce.” The Indian government said these elections cannot hide the real situation in the region or change India’s long-standing position that the territory is an integral part of India.
Speaking at a media briefing in New Delhi, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the elections do not reflect the wishes of the people. He stated that holding local polls cannot cover up the serious issues faced by people living in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir.
Jaiswal said the real concerns in the region are the continuing public protests and the violence allegedly carried out by Pakistani forces. According to India, many residents have expressed anger over their living conditions, lack of basic rights, and restrictions on freedom. The government said these issues cannot be ignored by organizing elections.
India has repeatedly maintained that Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India and has objected to any political or administrative activities carried out by Pakistan in the region. New Delhi says such actions have no legal validity and cannot change the status of the territory.
The External Affairs Ministry also said that the international community should pay attention to the concerns of the local people instead of focusing only on the elections. India believes that reports of protests and violence show the dissatisfaction of many people living in the region.
The comments come at a time when tensions between India and Pakistan remain high over Jammu and Kashmir. Both countries continue to have different views on the region, and the issue remains one of the major points of disagreement between them.
Pakistan has defended the elections, while India has rejected them and described the exercise as meaningless. The two countries continue to exchange statements over developments in the region.
India has once again urged Pakistan to stop what it calls illegal activities in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir and reiterated that the region is an inseparable part of India. The government said that holding elections cannot change historical facts or India’s official position on the matter.