India slams PoK polls as ‘complete farce’

India has dismissed the second phase of local elections in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) as “complete farce”. The ministry of external affairs accused Pakistan of using the electoral exercise to conceal an ongoing crackdown on civilians in the region. Addressing the weekly media briefing, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal on Tuesday said the “so-called local elections” could not hide what he called public protests and indiscriminate killings by Pakistani forces.He said the crackdown had intensified in recent months: “Since June this year, at least 90 civilians have lost their lives in the ongoing crackdown, and many more have been injured.” Calling for international scrutiny, Jaiswal added, “It must be held accountable, and the world should see through the veneer of Pakistan's hypocritical lecturing on human rights.”

VIDEO | Delhi: On the PoK polls, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) says, "The so-called local elections in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir are a complete farce. The real story is one of public protests and the indiscriminate killing of civilians by Pakistani forces. Such… pic.twitter.com/8Atebq7n19

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) August 4, 2026

On India-US trade agreement, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal says, “The discussions between India and the United States on the proposed Bilateral Trade Agreement are ongoing. Both sides have done substantial work in this regard. There are certain issues that need to be finalised, and both countries are working towards finalising the interim Bilateral Trade Agreement.”