India has lodged a strong protest with Pakistan over its plans to hold elections in Gilgit-Baltistan, a region New Delhi considers an integral part of India. The Ministry of External Affairs reiterated that Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, including Gilgit-Baltistan, are inalienable Indian territories under illegal Pakistani occupation.
India on Friday lodged a strong diplomatic protest with Pakistan over Islamabad’s plans to conduct “General Elections” for the so-called Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly in territories that New Delhi maintains are illegally occupied by Pakistan. The Government of India reiterated its long-standing position that the entire Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, including Gilgit-Baltistan, are integral and inalienable parts of India.
In a strongly worded statement, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) condemned Pakistan’s decision to proceed with elections in the region and asserted that such actions have no legal basis. The MEA stated that Pakistan’s move represents yet another attempt to alter the status of territories that remain under its illegal and forcible occupation.
According to the statement, India formally conveyed its objections regarding Pakistan’s plans to hold elections to the so-called Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly. The elections are reportedly scheduled to take place on June 7, 2026, while Pakistani authorities have also announced polling for all constituencies of the Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) Assembly on July 27.
“The Government of India lodged a strong protest with Pakistan regarding the latter’s plans to hold ‘General Elections’ to the so-called ‘Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly’ in the Indian territories illegally and forcibly occupied by Pakistan,” the MEA said.
The ministry reiterated that the legal accession of the erstwhile princely state of Jammu and Kashmir to India in 1947 remains complete, irrevocable, and legally valid. Consequently, New Delhi maintains that the territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, including Gilgit-Baltistan, form an inseparable part of the Republic of India.
India further emphasized that Pakistan’s efforts to organize elections or implement administrative changes in the occupied territories cannot alter the ground reality regarding sovereignty. The MEA stressed that such actions are designed to create an appearance of legitimacy but do not change the legal status of the region.
The statement also highlighted concerns over the situation faced by residents living in territories under Pakistani control. According to the MEA, attempts to hold elections cannot divert international attention from serious issues, including alleged human rights violations, political repression, economic exploitation, and restrictions on fundamental freedoms in areas under Pakistan’s occupation.
“The Government of India categorically rejects any attempts by Pakistan to bring material change to areas under Pakistan’s illegal occupation,” the ministry stated, adding that Islamabad continues to remain in possession of territories that legally belong to India.
India’s latest protest is consistent with its long-standing diplomatic position on Pakistan-occupied territories. Over the years, New Delhi has repeatedly objected to infrastructure projects, constitutional changes, and political processes initiated by Pakistan in regions it claims as part of India.
The issue has also been raised by India at international forums. In November last year, India called upon Pakistan to end what it described as grave and ongoing human rights abuses in territories under its control.
Addressing the United Nations General Assembly, First Secretary at India’s UN Mission, Bhavika Mangalanandan, accused Pakistani forces and their proxies of suppressing local populations and violating fundamental rights. She stated that several innocent civilians had reportedly been killed while demanding basic freedoms and rights in areas under Pakistan’s occupation.
Mangalanandan urged Pakistan to halt what she described as military repression, brutality, and illegal exploitation of resources in the occupied territories. She argued that the local population was increasingly expressing dissatisfaction with Pakistani control and called for an end to alleged human rights violations.
At the same time, she pointed to electoral participation in Jammu and Kashmir as evidence of democratic engagement and political inclusion within India. She rejected Pakistan’s criticism of India’s democratic processes and asserted that the social and economic progress witnessed in Jammu and Kashmir reflects the aspirations of its people.
The Indian diplomat also challenged Pakistan’s repeated references to international resolutions concerning Kashmir. She noted that United Nations Security Council Resolution 47 of April 1948 had called upon Pakistan to withdraw its troops and citizens from the region before any further steps could be considered. India maintains that Pakistan has failed to comply with this requirement while continuing its occupation of parts of the former princely state.
Reaffirming India’s official position, Mangalanandan stated that the Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh remain integral and inalienable parts of India.
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With the proposed elections in Gilgit-Baltistan drawing fresh diplomatic objections from New Delhi, the issue is expected to remain a significant point of contention between India and Pakistan, further underscoring the long-standing dispute over territories currently under Pakistani control.
