Amid speculation of a fence-mending visit to India this week by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, India snubbed him by calling out his reference to Jammu and Kashmir, at a speech in Islamabad, an "uncalled reference" to India's internal matter and said Bejing and other outsiders had no locus standi to comment on the issue. 

"Matters related to the Union Territory of Jammu and 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," Ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said in response to queries on the Chinese Foreign Minister's speech.

Wang had made a reference to Kashmir in his opening speech at the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Pakistan. "On Kashmir, we have heard again today the calls of many of our Islamic friends. And China shares the same hope," he had said.

New Delhi's rejection of Wang Yi's comments came in the midst of hectic consultations between the two sides over a possible visit by him to New Delhi within two days, NDTV said. 

Last month, India rejected the references to Jammu and Kashmir in a China-Pakistan joint statement, asserting that the region as well as the Union Territory of Ladakh "have been, are and will" remain integral and inalienable parts of India.

The joint statement was issued on February 6 following talks in Beijing between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan. Bagchi said India has "always rejected such references and our position is well known to China and Pakistan".

In July last year, China had reiterated its support to Pakistan on the issue of Jammu and Kashmir, saying it opposes any unilateral action which could complicate the situation.

(SAM)