**Policy Summary: Status of Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK) on Indian Map**
This document summarizes the Indian government's official position, as articulated in Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 2071, answered on August 1, 2025, regarding Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).
The Minister of State in the Ministry of External Affairs, Shri Kirti Vardhan Singh, stated that Pakistan remains in illegal occupation of parts of the Indian Union Territories of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh. The Government of India consistently demands that Pakistan immediately vacate all areas under its illegal and forcible occupation and has lodged strong protests with the Government of Pakistan, rejecting attempts to bring about material changes in these occupied territories.
The government maintains that the entire Union Territories of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh have been, are, and will always remain integral parts of India, a position supported by the unanimously adopted 1994 Resolution of the Indian Parliament. Official maps published by the Government of India unambiguously represent the entire Union Territories of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, including the territories illegally occupied by Pakistan, as parts of the Union of India.
Key Entities Referenced
Pakistan occupied Kashmir: A region of Kashmir under the control of Pakistan, claimed by India.
Pakistan: A country bordering India, currently occupying parts of Kashmir claimed by India.
SHRI ANIL YESHWANT DESAI: Member of Parliament who raised the question in Lok Sabha.
EXTERNAL AFFAIRS: The Ministry responsible for India's foreign policy and relations.
SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH: Minister of State in the Ministry of External Affairs who provided the answer.
Jammu Kashmir: An Indian Union Territory, parts of which are under illegal occupation of Pakistan.
Ladakh: An Indian Union Territory, parts of which are under illegal occupation of Pakistan.
Indian Parliament: The legislative body of the Republic of India, which passed a resolution in 1994 regarding Kashmir.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO- 2071
ANSWERED ON – 01/08/2025
STATUS OF POK ON INDIAN MAP
2071. SHRI ANIL YESHWANT DESAI
Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:
(a) whether some part of our Kashmir which is called Pakistan
occupied Kashmir (PoK) is still in the illegal occupation of
Pakistan, if so, the efforts being made to push back Pakistan from
PoK; and
(b) whether in view of the Government stand in the Parliament
about India's legal right over full territory of Kashmir, full Kashmir –
including PoK is shown as an integral part of India in the Map, if
not, the reasons therefor?
1ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
(SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH)
(a) & (b) Pakistan has been in illegal occupation of parts of Indian
Union Territories of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh. Government of
India has consistently called upon Pakistan to immediately vacate
all areas under its illegal and forcible occupation. Government of
India has lodged strong protests with the Government of Pakistan
and rejects all attempts by it to bring material change in these
occupied territories.
It has been India’s consistent and principled position that the entire
Union Territories of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh have been, are
and will always remain integral parts of India. This was enunciated
in the unanimously adopted 1994 Resolution of the Indian
Parliament. The official maps published by the Government of India
unambiguously represent entire Union Territories of Jammu &
Kashmir and Ladakh, including the territories illegally occupied by
Pakistan, as parts of the Union of India.
*****
2