India Hits Back at China-Pakistan Border Move... Says It Cannot Affect Its Territorial Claims

New Delhi: India has expressed strong objection to the Border Joint Commission formed by China and Pakistan. The Ministry of External Affairs has clearly stated that India does not accept this commission and any decision related to it is not legally applicable on Indian territories. This statement has come after the first meeting of this commission held in Islamabad on 16 September 2026.

What did India say on the China-Pakistan Joint Border Commission?

External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that India's stand on this issue is already clear and there has been no change in it. He said that India does not accept the Pakistan-China Border Joint Commission. There is no legal basis in the eyes of India for any such arrangement regarding the areas adjoining Jammu-Kashmir and Ladakh. It was said from Pakistan side that the purpose of this commission is to increase border management, joint surveys, trade and people-to-people contacts.

What is India's stand on the China-Pakistan Border Agreement of 1963?

India has not accepted the China-Pakistan Border Agreement of 1963 for a long time. According to the Ministry of External Affairs, India considers it illegal and invalid. India says that any agreement between Pakistan and China regarding the area occupied by Pakistan cannot affect India's claim and sovereignty. According to official information, in the 1963 agreement, provisions were made regarding the Shaksgam Valley area of about 5,180 square kilometers, which India does not recognise.

What happened in the first meeting of the Pakistan-China Commission?

Pakistan and China formally started this joint commission on September 16. And its first meeting was held in Islamabad. Pakistan called it an important step towards increasing cooperation between the two countries. In the meeting, there was talk of cooperation on issues like border management, joint survey, trade and connectivity. After this, India again reiterated its stand and said that any such arrangement between Pakistan and China does not affect India's territorial claims.

What did India say to Pakistan?

Reiterating its earlier stand, the Ministry of External Affairs said that Pakistan should withdraw from those areas which India considers as its part and which are currently under the control of Pakistan. India says that Pakistan has no right to make such arrangements with any third country regarding these areas. India has also made it clear that there has been no change in its position regarding Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh and the new border cooperation between China and Pakistan also does not change this position.