India firmly turned down a new border panel set up by China and Pakistan on Wednesday. Official statements from New Delhi stressed that the body carries no legal weight. The government reaffirmed that Pakistan cannot make agreements involving land under its unlawful control.

This strong response came right after the "Pakistan-China Boundary Joint Commission" held its first meeting in Islamabad. Both neighbouring nations met to discuss joint border surveys, trade flows, and border management. India has consistently held that Pakistan occupies lands belonging to the former state of Jammu and Kashmir since 1947. Furthermore, New Delhi maintains that Pakistan illegally gave away crucial areas like the Shaksgam Valley to China. India also opposes the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor since it passes through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal addressed the new development directly. “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,” Jaiswal stated.

He clearly stated India's sovereign claim over the region and said the Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, “Have been, are and will always remain integral and inalienable parts of India”. He added, “Pakistan has no locus standi to enter into arrangements concerning Indian territory under its illegal and forcible occupation.”

India's opposition to such agreements spans several decades. Jaiswal reminded everyone that India has “never recognised the so-called ‘China-Pakistan Boundary Agreement’ of 1963” and consistently calls it “illegal and invalid.”

The spokesperson expressed strong disapproval of any attempts to change regional realities. “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,” Jaiswal said. He noted that any border actions between China and Pakistan regarding these lands carry “no bearing whatsoever on India’s sovereignty over these territories.” He urged action from the neighbouring country, stating, “Instead of engaging in such theatrics, we call on Pakistan to immediately vacate areas under its illegal and forcible occupation.”

Pakistan's foreign ministry had previously praised the Islamabad meeting on social media. They called the creation of the Joint Commission a major milestone for bilateral relations. Officials stated the commission aims to boost border management, trade, and regional connectivity. Li Ya from China’s foreign ministry and Bilal Mahmood Chaudhary from Pakistan’s foreign ministry led the inaugural meeting. India remains firm on its official position despite these bilateral developments between its two neighbours.