India opposes Pakistan's decision to hold an election in disputed Gilgit-Baltistan

"We have seen reports regarding announcement of elections to the so-called "Gilgit-Baltistan” Legislative Assembly to be held on November 15, 2020. The Government of India has conveyed its strong protest to the Government of Pakistan and reiterated that the entire Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, including the areas of so-called Gilgit and Baltistan are an integral part of India by virtue of its accession in 1947. The Government of Pakistan has no locus standi on territories illegally and forcibly occupied by it," the Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement.

Pakistan recently announced to make the region its fifth province.

The Government of India has also completely rejected the recent actions such as the so-called "Gilgit-Baltistan (Elections and Caretaker Government) Amendment Order 2020” and continued attempts by the Pakistan establishment to bring material changes in areas under its illegal and forcible occupation, read the statement.

"Action such as these can neither hide the illegal occupation of parts of Union Territories of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh by Pakistan nor the grave human rights violations, exploitation and denial of freedom to the people residing in Pakistan occupied territories for the past seven decades," read the MEA statement.

"These are cosmetic exercises intended to camouflage its illegal occupation," read the statement.

India called upon Pakistan to immediately vacate all areas under its illegal occupation.