India on Friday said it has lodged a strong protest with Islamabad over Pakistan’s plan to hold elections for the so-called Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly. The Ministry of External Affairs said that India has emphasized that this area is Indian territory, which has been illegally and forcibly occupied by Pakistan.

India said such efforts by the neighboring country cannot mask the underlying issues of serious human rights violations, political repression, economic exploitation and deprivation of liberty in areas under illegal occupation of Pakistan.

The Ministry of External Affairs said, ‘The Government of India has lodged a strong protest with Pakistan regarding the plan of Pakistan to hold general elections for the so-called ‘Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly’ on June 7 in the Indian territories which are illegally and forcibly occupied by Pakistan.’

The MEA said India has reiterated its well-known stand that the entire Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, including the so-called ‘Gilgit-Baltistan’, is an integral and inalienable part of India as a result of the full, legal and irrevocable merger of Jammu and Kashmir with India in 1947.

India lodges strong protest regarding holding of “General Elections” in “Gilgit-Baltistan”

https://t.co/J3YFXQrSBh pic.twitter.com/CvTKddUEJR

— Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) June 5, 2026

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Serious human rights violations in illegally occupied areas

The Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement, ‘The Government of India emphasizes that such efforts by Pakistan cannot hide the underlying issues of serious human rights violations, political repression, economic exploitation and deprivation of liberty in the areas under its illegal occupation.’ The ministry said that the Government of India completely rejects Pakistan’s efforts to bring about any kind of change in the areas under illegal occupation. He also said that such actions cannot hide the fact that Pakistan is illegally occupying Indian territories, which it will have to vacate.

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India-china: On Tuesday, there was a meaningful conversation on several important issues amid increasing tension between India and China. This talk took place at a time when tension has increased globally due to Donald Trump’s tariff war.

During the meeting, a comprehensive review of the current situation on the Line of Actual Control (LAC) was done. The two countries discussed issues related to across the border including Kailash-Mansarovar Yatra to reduce the tension on the border, restore border cooperation and Kailash-Mansarovar Yatra. According to the Indian Ministry of External Affairs, this meeting was held in a positive and creative environment. During the talks, it was agreed to restore the Kailash-Mansarovar Yatra, which was stopped from 2020.

Discussion on Kailash Mansarovar Yatra Restoration

The 33rd meeting of the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination (WMCC) was held in Beijing on Indo-China border affairs. In this meeting, the delegation of India was led by Gauranglal Das, while Hong Leiang, Director General of the Department of External Affairs and Ocean Affairs Department, led China.

During the meeting, both sides discussed various issues related to the border and insisted on restoring the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra as soon as possible. Significantly, this journey was stopped due to increased tension in 2020 along the Indo-China border.

Foreign Secretary Vikram Egypt also visited

Foreign Secretary Vikram Egypt visited Beijing to attend an important meeting in January. During this time, it was agreed to resume the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra between India and China in summer. During the discussion, Foreign Secretary and Chinese Deputy Foreign Minister agreed to stabilize bilateral relations and take necessary steps to improve.

Apart from this, there was also talks between New Delhi to Beijing to restore direct air service. This dialogue between the two countries is considered an important step towards resolving the border dispute and improving relationships.