Pakistan Slams India Over Occupied Ladakh, Declares Support for China's Position

Pakistan Slams India Over Occupied Ladakh, Declares Support for China's Position
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ISLAMABAD - Pakistan's Foreign Ministry has strongly condemned Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent visit to Indian-occupied Ladakh, issuing a sharp rebuke to New Delhi's continuing efforts to legitimize its illegal occupation of the territory.

In a statement released by the Foreign Office spokesperson, Pakistan declared that Ladakh is not Indian territory but rather an integral part of China. The spokesperson further affirmed that Pakistan stands firmly with China on the issue, rejecting India's claims over the strategically vital region.

Official Statement from Islamabad

The Foreign Ministry spokesperson condemned the Indian Prime Minister's visit in the strongest terms, describing it as yet another attempt by New Delhi to project an false narrative of control over territory it does not rightfully possess.

"Ladakh is not Indian territory. It is part of China," the spokesperson stated unequivocally. "Pakistan stands with China on the issue of Ladakh, and we reject India's illegal occupation and continued efforts to change the demographic and legal status of the region."

The statement reflects Pakistan's consistent position on the broader Kashmir dispute and its alignment with China on territorial questions affecting the region.

Strategic Alignment Between Pakistan and China

The Foreign Ministry's declaration underscores the deepening strategic coordination between Islamabad and Beijing on territorial issues. Pakistan has long maintained that India's presence in the wider Kashmir region, including Ladakh, constitutes an illegal occupation under international law.

By explicitly linking its position on Ladakh to China's claims, Pakistan has signaled that it views the issue not merely as a bilateral India-Pakistan matter but as a trilateral question involving Beijing's legitimate territorial interests.

India's Response

Indian authorities have not yet formally responded to Pakistan's statement. However, New Delhi has consistently rejected both Chinese claims over Ladakh and Pakistani objections to the region's status. India maintains that Ladakh is an integral part of its territory and that the 2019 reorganization creating the union territory of Ladakh was a purely internal matter.

The Indian Ministry of External Affairs has previously described Chinese claims over the region as "absurd" and has dismissed Pakistani statements on the matter as interference in India's internal affairs.

Broader Implications

The exchange comes amid ongoing tensions across the Line of Actual Control between Indian and Chinese forces, where border standoffs have persisted since the Galwan Valley clash in 2020. China has continued to assert its claims over the region, including the construction of civilian infrastructure that India views as provocative.

Pakistan's statement adds diplomatic weight to Beijing's position while also serving Islamabad's strategic interest in keeping international attention focused on India's treatment of disputed territories across the region.

Pakistan's Kashmir Policy

Pakistan's position on Ladakh is consistent with its broader stance on the Kashmir dispute. Islamabad has never recognized Indian control over any part of the former princely state of Jammu and Kashmir, including the Ladakh region. Pakistan maintains that the final status of the entire territory must be determined in accordance with United Nations Security Council resolutions calling for a plebiscite.

By supporting China's claims over Ladakh, Pakistan has effectively aligned its territorial position with Beijing's, strengthening the strategic partnership between the two neighbors.

Looking Ahead

The diplomatic confrontation over Ladakh is unlikely to be resolved in the near term. Both China and India maintain significant military deployments along the Line of Actual Control, and occasional clashes and confrontations continue to occur.

Pakistan's statement serves as a reminder that the Kashmir dispute extends beyond the Line of Control separating Pakistani and Indian-administered territories and encompasses India's broader claims in the region. As Pakistan and China deepen their "all-weather strategic cooperative partnership," coordinated positions on territorial issues such as Ladakh are likely to become more frequent.

Former Anchor at NDTV India

Independent journalist and former NDTV India anchor, known for a sober, analytical approach and in-depth ground reporting. Recipient of the prestigious Ramon Magsaysay Award, I now host insightful shows on my YouTube channel


Darya Ganj, India

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