India reacts to Pak: Art 370 our internal matter

August 08, 2019 12:25

The Ministry of External Affairs' statement on Pakistan downgrading diplomatic relations with India in the wake of the revocation of Article 370 and the bifurcation of the state of Jammu and Kashmir into two union territories.

"We have seen reports that Pakistan has decided to take certain unilateral actions in respect of its bilateral relations with India. This includes the downgrading of our diplomatic relations.

"It is not surprising that such developmental initiatives that could address any disaffection in Jammu and Kashmir should be negatively perceived in Pakistan, which has utilized such sentiments to justify its cross-border terrorism.

"We have seen reports that Pakistan has decided to take certain unilateral actions in respect to its bilateral relations with India. This includes the downgrading of our diplomatic relations.

The recent developments pertaining to Article 370 are entirely the internal affair of India. The Constitution of India was, is and will always be a sovereign matter. Seeking to interfere in that jurisdiction by invoking an alarmist vision of the region will never succeed."

Pakistan on Wednesday expelled Indian High Commissioner Ajay Bisaria, minutes after it decided to downgrade the diplomatic ties with India in the wake of New Delhi's 'unilateral and illegal' move to revoke the special status of Jammu and Kashmir.

This was announced after Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan chaired a crucial meeting of the National Security Committee (NSC) in Islamabad, attended by top civil and military leadership, during which it was also decided to suspend the bilateral trade and review 'bilateral arrangements'.

India on Monday revoked Article 370 of the Constitution to withdraw the special status given to Jammu and Kashmir and bifurcated the state into two Union Territories -- Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh.

A statement issued after the NSC meeting read that the Committee discussed situation 'arising out of unilateral and illegal actions' by the Indian government, situation inside Jammu and Kashmir and along the Line of Control.

The Committee decided 'downgrading of diplomatic relations with India' and 'suspension of bilateral trade with India', the statement said.

« Back to LIVE

TOP STORIES

Separatist ideology 'dead' in J-K, people reaise it as futile: Sajad Lone

Lone, who is contesting the Lok Sabha polls from Baramulla constituency, said one of the reasons he wants to go to Parliament is to strive and advocate for the same set of laws for the children of Kashmir and the rest of the country.

Voters Arrive Via Boat To Cast Votes

The second phase of the Lok Sabha election ended on Friday, April 26, 2024, for 88 seats across 13 states.

Sailor Kumanan secures Paris Olympics quota

The Last Chance Regatta is the final qualifying event in sailing for the Paris 2024 Olympics.

Arms, ammunition found in CBI raid in Bengal's Sandeshkhali

The CBI during its probe got inputs of a large cache of arms hidden in Sandeshkhali. On Friday morning, a CBI team started a search operation during which the arms, including foreign-made pistols, were seized, the officials said.

IPL 2024 too much in batters' favour: Ganguly

'...that's one area that needs to be looked at in the future, the balance between bat and ball.'