India Calls New York Times' PoK Terminology Misleading and Incorrect

India has formally objected to terminology used by The New York Times in a report on recent unrest in Pakistan-administered territory that India refers to as Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). The Indian Embassy in the United States criticised the newspaper's headline, which described the region as "Pakistani Kashmir", calling the wording "misleading and incorrect." The objection followed the publication of a report on clashes that erupted during local body elections in the region amid ongoing protests and a security crackdown.

In a post on X, the Indian Embassy stated that there is "no Pakistani Kashmir, only Pakistan-occupied Kashmir." Reiterating New Delhi's long-standing position, the embassy said the Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh "have been, are and will always remain an integral and inalienable part of India." It further alleged that Pakistan continues to occupy parts of these territories illegally and accused Islamabad of using violence against people living in those areas.

India has consistently maintained that the entire former princely state of Jammu and Kashmir, including territories currently under Pakistan's control, is an integral part of the country. The government also maintains that Pakistan remains in "illegal and forcible occupation" of parts of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. Earlier this month, New Delhi described the ongoing protests in the region as a consequence of what it called decades of systemic exploitation and administrative oppression by Pakistan, while also criticising reports of police action against demonstrators.

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The New York Times report that prompted India's response focused on violent clashes in the Mirpur area during local elections. According to the report, police confronted members of a civil rights group protesting alleged police violence in the region. The newspaper referred to the area as "Pakistani-administered Kashmir" and cited the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, an independent rights body, which called for an immediate end to the violence and urged an independent investigation into reported deaths and injuries.

According to reports cited in the article, a security crackdown by Pakistani forces during protests allegedly resulted in the deaths of more than 30 civilians and injuries to over 33 others. The demonstrations have been led by the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), which has organised protests during the local body election period. The region has witnessed sustained unrest in recent weeks, with protesters raising concerns over rising living costs, alleged administrative neglect, political discrimination and the treatment of minority communities.

India has also criticised the conduct of the local body elections in the territory, describing the exercise as an attempt by Pakistan to legitimise what it considers an illegal occupation while diverting attention from alleged human rights violations. Pakistan, however, administers the territory and rejects India's claims over it. The dispute over Jammu and Kashmir remains one of the most contentious issues between the two neighbouring countries, with both nations claiming the region in full while controlling different parts of it.

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