The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on July 28, 2026, issued a scathing rebuttal to the electoral proceedings conducted in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). Describing the entire process as a mere "cosmetic exercise," the Indian government asserted that such maneuvers cannot hide the reality of Pakistan’s illegal and forcible occupation of Indian territories. This diplomatic offensive comes at a time when regional tensions remain high, with New Delhi consistently maintaining that the entire Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh are integral parts of India.
According to the official statement, the polls held in the region lack any legal or democratic basis. The MEA spokesperson emphasized that these elections are a facade intended to mislead the global audience about the actual status of the region. By conducting these polls, Islamabad attempts to give a democratic face to its administrative control, which India views as a blatant violation of international norms and bilateral agreements, including the Simla Agreement of 1972.
- Illegal occupation since 1947 — India maintains that Pakistan has no locus standi in PoK or Gilgit-Baltistan
- Parliamentary Resolution of 1994 — A unanimous resolution stating that PoK is an integral part of India
- Lack of political freedom — Candidates are often forced to sign declarations supporting the region's accession to Pakistan
The Government of India has repeatedly called upon Pakistan to vacate all areas under its illegal occupation. The diplomatic note issued on July 28 serves as a reminder that no amount of administrative restructuring or electoral theater can alter the fundamental legal truth of the region's status. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has previously stated that the issue of PoK is not just a territorial dispute but a matter of national integrity that remains on the top of the diplomatic agenda. New Delhi's stance is backed by the Instrument of Accession signed in 1947, which legally integrated the state with the Indian Union.
The international community has been urged to take a closer look at the systemic human rights violations and the suppression of local voices in PoK. Reports from various non-governmental organizations have often highlighted the restricted political space in the region, where any dissent against the Pakistani establishment is met with severe repercussions. By raising this issue on a global platform, India seeks to isolate Pakistan regarding its claims over the territory and highlight the contrast between the democratic processes in Jammu and Kashmir and the controlled environment in PoK. The MEA noted that the people of the region deserve better than a scripted political drama.
Historically, the 1994 Parliamentary Resolution remains the bedrock of India’s policy, asserting that Pakistan must vacate the territories it occupied through aggression. This latest condemnation follows a pattern of India proactively challenging Pakistan’s attempts to change the status quo, including the latter's efforts to grant provincial status to Gilgit-Baltistan. The MEA reiterated that such unilateral actions have no legal validity and are rejected in their entirety by the Indian state. The resolution was passed unanimously by both houses of the Indian Parliament, reflecting a national consensus on the issue.
The administrative structure in PoK, often referred to as "Azad Jammu and Kashmir" by Pakistan, is heavily controlled by the Ministry of Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan in Islamabad. This setup ensures that the local government has limited autonomy, with major decisions being dictated by the Pakistani federal government and the military establishment. India points to this lack of genuine self-governance as proof that the elections are nothing more than a scripted event to serve Pakistan’s strategic interests. The Indian side argues that the true representatives of the people are those who operate within the constitutional framework of India.
In recent years, India has shifted its diplomatic strategy to be more assertive regarding PoK. The move to revoke Article 370 in August 2019 was accompanied by statements from senior leaders, including Home Minister Amit Shah, who declared in Parliament that India is prepared to give its life for PoK. This shift reflects a broader policy of highlighting the developmental disparity between the Indian side of the Line of Control (LoC) and the neglected regions under Pakistani control. New Delhi continues to emphasize that the only remaining issue in Kashmir is the vacation of occupied territories.
As the global geopolitical landscape evolves, India continues to leverage its growing influence to bring attention to the PoK issue. The MEA statement concluded by reaffirming that the only way forward is for Pakistan to end its cross-border terrorism and vacate the territories it has held since 1947. This firm stance ensures that the narrative around Kashmir remains focused on the illegality of Pakistan’s presence in the region, rather than the manufactured outcomes of staged elections. India remains committed to its territorial integrity and will continue to expose Pakistan’s attempts to legitimize its occupation through such "cosmetic" means.
