'No legal basis, completely unacceptable': India rejects 'so-called' Pakistan-China boundary joint commission

The ministry of external affairs said India’s position on the matter remains “clear and consistent” and described the commission as having no legal basis

Updated on: Sep 16, 2026, 20:09:21 IST

By HT News Desk

Prefer HTon Google

Share via

Copy link

India on Wednesday rejected the so-called Pakistan-China Boundary Joint Commission, asserting that there is no recognised boundary between Pakistan and China. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said India’s position on the matter remains “clear and consistent” and described the commission as having no legal basis.

MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated that while India backs the resolution, its boundaries regarding Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh must be respected. (MEA)

Also Read | India protests Pakistan warship collision: From 3-nautical-mile rule to advance notice, what the 1991 pact says

“We have seen reports in this regard. Our position on this matter is clear and consistent. There is no boundary between Pakistan and China. We reject the so-called Joint Commission, which is without any legal basis,” the MEA spokesperson said.

The MEA reiterated that India has never recognised the so-called ‘China-Pakistan Boundary Agreement' of 1963 and have consistently maintained that it is illegal and invalid.

'We resolutely oppose and reject any attempts to alter the status of these occupied territories or legitimise illegal occupation, impinging on India's sovereignty and territorial integrity. Any so-called boundary cooperation between China and Pakistan concerning Indian territories would be completely unacceptable and would have no bearing whatsoever on India's sovereignty over these territories," said MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal.

Earlier on Wednesday, Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry posted on X about an inaugural meeting between Pakistan and China over the operationalisation of the Pakistan-China Boundary Joint Commission.

“In a significant milestone for Pakistan-China relations, the two sides today operationalised the Pakistan-China Boundary Joint Commission, setting the stage for enhanced cooperation in border management, joint border surveys, trade flows and people-to-people connectivity,” the Pakistani Foreign Ministry said in the post.

India has maintained that there is no Pakistan and China border and that the ‘entire Union Territories of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh have been, are and will always remain integral and inalienable parts of India’.

“Pakistan has no locus standi to enter into arrangements concerning Indian territory under its illegal and forcible occupation”, the MEA statement said.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
HT News Desk
Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs. The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals. The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments. Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available. Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.Read More

Get the latest India News, breaking headlines and real-time updates from across the country. Stay informed about politics, government policies, crime, weather major national developments and Karnataka Bandh LIVE.