GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

LOK SABHA

STARRED QUESTION NO: 31

ANSWERED ON:23.11.2011

INDIAN LAND OCCUPIED BY NEIGHBOURING COUNTRIES

MURLI MANOHAR JOSHI

(a)the names of the neighbouring countries including Bangladesh having occupied or are attempting to occupy Indian territory;

(b)the area of land alongwith the dates of the said occupation;

(c) whether Pakistan has given some part of the said Indian territory under its occupation to China;

(d)if so, the details thereof;

(e)the area of Indian territory freed from illegal occupation of neighbouring countries;

(f)whether attention of international organisations has been drawn towards this issue; and

(g)if so, their reaction in this regard?

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRSbe pleased to state:- 

ANSWER THE MINISTER OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

(SHRI S.M. KRISHNA)

(a) to (e) Pakistan is in illegal and forcible occupation of approximately 78,000 sq. kms. of Indian territory in the State of Jammu & Kashmir since 1948. Indian territory under occupation by China in Jammu & Kashmir since 1962 is approximately 38,000 sq. kms. Under the so-called ChinaPakistan `Boundary Agreement` of 1963, Pakistan illegally ceded 5,180 sq. kms. of Indian territory in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir to China. In case of Bangladesh, there is no illegal occupation of Indian land. Since Independence, there have been pockets along the IndiaBangladesh border which have traditionally been under the possession of people of one country in the territory of another country. These are known as `Adverse Possessions`.

(f) & (g) Government considers boundary issues purely bilateral matters between India and the country concerned. There are mechanisms established by the Government of India with the respective countries for the settlement of these boundary issues. A third party role cannot be envisaged nor is it necessary. The Government does not encourage discussions on these matters with a third country or by international organizations.