New York, September 28: India slammed China on Saturday for making reference to Jammu and Kashmir at the 74th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). India termed China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) as illegal. Raising the Kashmir issue, Wang Yi told the UN General Assembly that the "dispute" should be peacefully and properly addressed in accordance with the UN Charter, UN Security Council resolutions and the bilateral agreement. PM Narendra Modi Speech at UNGA: Prime Minister Says World Must Fight Terrorism Together.

The Chinese foreign minister also stressed no actions should be taken that would unilaterally change the "status quo" of Kashmir. India took strong exception to Wang's reference to Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh. External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar reiterated India’s stand on Jammu and Kashmir. Kumar said that J&K and Ladakh are an integral part of India, and that the recent developments relating to the region were "entirely a matter internal" to the country.

He further added, “We expect that other countries will respect India's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and desist from efforts to change the status quo through the illegal so-called China Pakistan Economic Corridor in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.” The MEA spokesperson also stated that India expects other countries to respect India's sovereignty and territorial integrity. Article 370 Revoked in Jammu and Kashmir : China Calls on India, Pakistan to Resolve Disputes Through Talks.

In August also, China had objected to India declaring Ladakh as a Union Territory, saying the step was against its "territorial sovereignty" and had asked India to "exercise caution" and not "complicate" the border issue. India on August 5 scrapped the special status of Jammu and Kashmir by diluting Article 370. The state was also divided into two union territories – J&K, and Ladakh.

(With inputs from PTI)

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