'Unwarranted': India hits out at Pak-EU joint statement for J&K reference

The ministry of external affairs on Tuesday strongly rejected references to Jammu and Kashmir in a joint statement issued by the European Union and Pakistan, calling them unwarranted.Responding to media queries, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said India "categorically rejects" any mention of Jammu and Kashmir in the joint press communiqué. He reiterated that the Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh are an integral and inalienable part of India."Regarding the reference to Jammu and Kashmir, we would like to state that we categorically reject such unwarranted references in the Joint Press Communiqué on matters internal to India," Jaiswal said.The MEA spokesperson also said that entities with "no locus standi" on the issue should refrain from commenting on it."The Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh are integral and inalienable parts of India. Those who have no locus standi in such matters should refrain from making any comments on them," he added.The remarks came after the EU-Pakistan joint statement made references to Jammu and Kashmir.