'Internal matters of India': MEA rejects Pakistan’s objection to PoK provision in Delimitation Bill
April 17, 2026
“On the delimitation exercise, the internal matters of India are internal matters of India, and we reject any attempts to intrude into them or make any such remarks,” said MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal
The Indian government on Friday firmly rebuffed objections from Pakistan concerning a new piece of legislation that includes provisions for Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). A spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs, Randhir Jaiswal, stated that the legislative processes of the country are its own concern, emphasizing that "internal matters of India are internal matters of India." The ministry declared its rejection of any attempts by external parties to intrude on or comment on its domestic affairs, signaling that it will proceed with its legislative agenda despite the diplomatic protest.
The controversy centers on the Delimitation Bill, 2026, which was recently introduced in India's Parliament. A key clause within the proposed law provides a legal framework authorizing the Election Commission of India to demarcate electoral constituencies in the territory of Jammu and Kashmir that is currently under Pakistani administration. This provision is designed to take effect whenever the region ceases to be occupied. This legislative step reaffirms India’s long-standing constitutional and political position that the entire region of Jammu and Kashmir, including areas controlled by Pakistan, is an integral part of the country. The Jammu and Kashmir assembly has historically kept 24 seats reserved and vacant for PoK.
Pakistan's Foreign Ministry responded swiftly to the introduction of the bill, issuing a strong rejection of the measure. A spokesperson for the ministry in Islamabad, Tahir Andrabi, characterized the delimitation exercise as "illegal" and "politically motivated." Pakistan's government views the bill as an attempt to change the political and demographic landscape of what it considers to be a disputed territory, asserting that the move lacks legal validity. This stance is consistent with Pakistan's previous rejections of delimitation reports for Jammu and Kashmir, including a similar diplomatic dispute in 2022.
The process of redrawing electoral boundaries in Jammu and Kashmir has been a focal point since 2019, when the region's special autonomous status was revoked and it was reorganized into a Union Territory. A Delimitation Commission was formed in March 2020 to readjust assembly and parliamentary constituencies, a necessary step for conducting future elections. The last such exercise in the former state was completed in 1995 based on the 1981 census data. The current bill advances this process by formally creating a legal pathway for the eventual integration of PoK into India's electoral system.
This diplomatic exchange adds a new layer of complexity to the already strained relationship between the two nuclear-armed neighbors, which has seen heightened tensions following military clashes in 2025. While there have been tentative signs of re-engagement on other fronts, this legislative action by India solidifies its sovereign claim and is unlikely to be influenced by external commentary. As the bill proceeds through India's legislative system, Pakistan is expected to continue raising its objections on international platforms, ensuring the status of Kashmir remains a central and contentious issue in regional geopolitics.
Source: firstpost