India firmly rejected the recent elections in what it calls Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir or POK (Pakistan calls it Azad Jammu and Kashmir or AJK),  which were won by Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan's PTI party, saying the "cosmetic exercise" was nothing but an attempt by Pakistan to "camouflage its illegal occupation" and that it has lodged a strong protest over the issue.

Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi also strongly objected to references made to Jammu and Kashmir in a recent joint press statement by Pakistan and China, asserting that the Union Territories of J&K and Ladakh have been and will remain an integral and inalienable part of India.

The spokesperson said Pakistan has "no locus standi on these Indian territories" and it must vacate all Indian areas under its illegal occupation.

Following is the transcript of the conversation at the weekly press briefing Thursday released by India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA): 

Shri Yatin Patel, OSD (PR): Sidhant from WION is asking, "How does India sees development on elections in Pakistan occupied Kashmir”. Shailendra from News18 is asking,” Hal hi mein Pakistan adhikrit Kashmir mein duniya ki aankhon mein dhool jhonkne ke liye chunaav karae gaye. Iss prakriya par Bharat ka kya reaction hai? (Questioned in Hindi; Approximate Translation) Recently, elections were held in Pakistan occupied Kashmir to deceive the world. What is India's reaction on this process?”

Shri Arindam Bagchi, Official Spokesperson: Look, let me make very clear that the so-called elections in Indian Territory, under the illegal occupation of Pakistan are nothing but an attempt by Pakistan to camouflage its illegal occupation and the material changes undertaken by it in these territories. India has lodged a strong protest with the Pakistani authorities on this cosmetic exercise, which has been protested and rejected by the local people. Such an exercise can neither hide the illegal occupation by Pakistan nor the grave human rights violations, exploitation and denial of freedom to the people in these occupied territories. Pakistan has no locus standi on these Indian territories. We call upon Pakistan to vacate all Indian areas under its illegal occupation.

Shri Yatin Patel, OSD (PR): Sidhant from WION is asking, "A joint Press release after meeting of China and Pakistan's Foreign Ministers mentioned Jammu and Kashmir. How would you like to respond to that?”

Shri Arindam Bagchi, Official Spokesperson: As in the past, India categorically rejects any reference to Jammu and Kashmir in such joint statement, the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir and the union territory of Ladakh have been and will remain integral and inalienable parts of India. The joint Press release, has also made a reference to the so-called China Pakistan Economic Corridor. We have consistently conveyed to China and Pakistan that the so called CPEC is in India's territory, that has been illegally occupied by Pakistan, and that we resolutely oppose any attempts by other countries to change the status quo in areas illegally occupied by Pakistan, as also to Pakistan, bringing up any material change in Indian territories under its illegal occupation. We call upon parties concerned to seize such actions.(SAM)