Pakistan issues demarche to US over Kashmir remarks by American ambassador to India

Pakistan summoned the US charge d’affaires in Islamabad on Wednesday to lodge a strong demarche over what it described as "factually incorrect remarks" made by the US ambassador to India concerning Jammu and Kashmir. The ambassador had referred to the disputed territory as a 'part of India' during a visit.

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Pakistan strongly condemned and categorically rejected the characterisation of Jammu and Kashmir as a ‘part of India’.

The Pakistani Foreign Office (FO) strongly condemned and categorically rejected this characterization. The FO statement underscored that Jammu and Kashmir is an internationally recognized disputed territory awaiting a final disposition in accordance with UN Security Council resolutions and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people.

Pakistan argued that the US ambassador's statement negated the United States' long-standing position on the Kashmir dispute. It also ran contrary to the US commitment to the supremacy of international law and the UN Charter, according to the FO.

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It was underscored that Jammu and Kashmir is an internationally recognised disputed territory, awaiting final disposition in accordance with the relevant UNSC resolutions and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people.

While Pakistan appreciated former US President Donald Trump's past offer to mediate the Kashmir dispute, the FO urged the current US administration to ensure its public statements remain consistent with the disputed status of Jammu and Kashmir. The demarche aimed to reinforce Pakistan's stance and seek adherence to established international legal frameworks regarding the region.

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The ‘irresponsible statement’ by the US ambassador ‘negated the long-standing and well-documented position of the United States on the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, and also ran contrary to the US commitment to the supremacy of international law and the UN Charter.’