New Delhi:
Following strong protests from Indians in Australia over an incorrect map of India, posted on a government website in Australia which omitted the states of Jammu and Kashmir and Arunachal Pradesh, the Australian High Commission Spokesperson has told NDTV that "the map was an error and is being removed from the website".
Issuing a press statement, the Council of Indian Australians Inc (CIA), the peak body representing the Indian Australian community in New South Wales, had asked the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) of Australia to correct the map on its website.
An excerpt from the press statement read:The CIA Inc wishes to bring this (incorrect map) to the attention of the Government of Australia and urges the DIAC to rectify this incorrect map and display the revised map showing correct boundaries.
Jammu and Kashmir is an integral, inseparable and inalienable part of India and will always remain so. A brief review of the history shows Jammu and Kashmir became an inalienable part of India on 25th October, 1947 when King of Jammu and Kashmir, Maharaja Hari Singh, signed the "Instrument of accession" with India. This Instrument was executed between India's then Governor-General, Lord Louis Mountbatten, and Maharaja Hari Singh on 27th October, 1947. All rulers of States and Kingdoms in India were entitled to choose one of three options - join India, join Pakistan or remain independent-at the time of Indian independence in 1947.
J&K joined India in 1947.
As everyone knows that Pakistan came into being on 14th Aug, 1947, and it celebrates its Independence Day on 14th August, while India celebrates its Independence Day on 15th August.