Emre Aytekin

ANKARA

Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar said his country would one day gain sovereignty in the Azad Kashmir region, which is currently under Pakistani control.

According to a report by Indian television NDTV, Foreign Minister Jaishankar answered questions on current foreign policy issues.

“Azad Kashmir, which is occupied by Pakistan, is part of Indian land. One day we will assert sovereignty there and establish physical power,” said the Indian foreign minister.

Jaishankar was commenting on Pakistan's efforts to take up the matter at the United Nations (UN) after the Indian People's Party (BJP) government led by Prime Minister Nerandra Modi unilaterally lifted special provisions for the state of Jammu and Kashmir.

“I don't care what others say about Jammu Kashmir. India's position has been clear since 1972. This is our problem and our stance will determine the outcome,” Jaishankar said.

Relations between Pakistan and India deteriorated further after India unilaterally lifted special provisions for the state of Jammu and Kashmir.

Last month, three Pakistani and five Indian soldiers were killed by gunfire along the border line.

Several human rights groups, including Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International, have repeatedly called on India to lift restrictions and release political prisoners.

However, Indian authorities claim that daily restrictions have been lifted in 90 percent of the region.

From 1954 to August 5, 2019, Jammu and Kashmir enjoyed a special status under the Indian Constitution that granted them autonomy.

The provisions also protect the territory's citizenship laws and prohibit outsiders from settling and owning land there.

India and Pakistan both claim to own Kashmir in its entirety.

China also controls parts of the disputed territory, but it is India and Pakistan that have fought two wars over Kashmir.

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