India slams Pak for J&K map
Pak PM brands India an ‘oppressor’ on Kashmir ‘annexation’ anniv
India has described as "political absurdity" a map released by Pakistan that includes Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh and parts of western Gujarat.
New Delhi tore into the map, which it called a "ridiculous assertion without any global credibility" and emerged on the first anniversary of the decision to scrap special status for J&K under Article 370.
The map was released Tuesday evening by Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan.
"We have seen a so-called "political map" of Pakistan that has been released by Prime Minister Imran Khan. This is an exercise in political absurdity, laying untenable claims to territories in the Indian state of Gujarat and our Union Territories of Jammu & Kashmir and of Ladakh," the government said.
"These ridiculous assertions have neither legal validity nor international credibility. In fact, this new effort only confirms the reality of Pakistan's obsession with territorial aggrandisement supported by cross-border terrorism," its response added.
Earlier on Tuesday, Imran Khan unveiled the map that, he claimed, negated India's "illegal action of August last year" - a reference to the withdrawal of special privileges to J&K under Article 370. He claimed the map had been endorsed by Pakistan's cabinet, was backed by its political leadership and would be used in schools.
Kashmir, a disputed Himalayan territory, has been split since 1947 between India and Pakistan, both of which claim it in full and have fought wars over it.
Yesterday, Imran Khan branded India an "oppressor and aggressor" yesterday, a year after New Delhi imposed direct rule on Indian-administered Kashmir.
"India stands exposed before the world, yet again, as an oppressor and aggressor," Khan said in a statement.
"Its so-called secular and democratic credentials stand fully discredited," he added, calling India's action last year a "crime against humanity".
Khan accused India of trying to turn Kashmir's Muslim majority into a minority by ending restrictions on outsiders buying up property "in blatant violation of... UN Security Council Resolutions and international laws".