New Delhi: India today slammed Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi for his reference to Jammu and Kashmir at the OIC meet in Islamabad, saying matters related to the Union Territory are its internal matter and Beijing has no locus standi to comment. Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Arindam Bagchi, in a statement, also said, in a warning, that countries should note that “India refrains from public judgement of their internal issues” – in a reference to China’s treatment of the Uyghur Muslims which has been globally condemned. The statement read: “We reject the uncalled for reference to India by the Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi during his speech at the Opening Ceremony. “Matters related to the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir are entirely the internal affairs of India. “Other countries including China have no locus standi to comment. They should note that India refrains from public judgement of their internal issues,” he said. The statement came after Wang Yi, in his speech at the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation meet in Islamabad, was quoted as saying: “On the Kashmir issue, we have heard the voices of many Islamic friends again today, and China has the same desire for this,” without elaborating further. “China would continue to support the people of Palestine and Kashmir in their just freedom struggles,” he added. Wang Yi, who was attending the meet as special guest, further said: “China will continue to support Islamic countries in using Islamic wisdom to solve contemporary hotspot issues, and firmly hold the right to maintaining stability and promoting peace in its own hands.” The Pakistan PM Imran Khan said at the event, “’We have failed Kashmir despite being 1.5 billion in strength” – in a message to the Islamic countries. Delegates from 57 OIC countries gathered for the meet in Islamabad. UNI RN
