After the Modi government effectively abrogated Article 370 and accorded Union Territory status to J&K and Ladakh, Pakistan and China reacted sharply to India’s bold move.
China has said, “China is seriously concerned about the current situation in Kashmir,” Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said in a written response to media queries about the militaries of India and Pakistan exchanging fire along the Line of Control and the Indian government’s move to revoke Article 370 which gave special status to Jammu and Kashmir.
“China’s position on the Kashmir issue is clear and consistent. This issue is a legacy of history between India and Pakistan, which is also the consensus of the international community,” Hua said, without directly referring to revocation of Article 370 by India.
“The parties concerned should exercise restraint and act with caution, especially to avoid actions that unilaterally change the status quo and exacerbate the tension,” she said.
“We call on the two sides to peacefully resolve relevant disputes through dialogue and consultation and safeguard regional peace and stability”, she said.
Now, India has shot back and asked China not to interfere in the internal matters of India.
JUST IN: India reacts on China Statement on Article 370 and UT Bill in Parliament: ‘It is an internal matter concerning the territory of India. India does not comment on the internal affairs of other countries and similarly expects other countries to do likewise.’ pic.twitter.com/NPxbgS0jkL
— Aditya Raj Kaul (@AdityaRajKaul) August 6, 2019
Indian MEA official spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said today:
“The Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Bill 2019 introduced by the Government in Parliament on 5th August, which proposes the formation of a new ‘Union Territory of Ladakh’ is an internal matter concerning the territory of India. India does not comment on the internal affairs of other countries and similarly expects other countries to do likewise. So far as the India-China Boundary Question is concerned, the two sides have agreed to a fair, reasonable and mutually acceptable settlement of the boundary question on the basis of the Political Parameters and Guiding Principles for the Settlement of India-China Boundary Question. Pending such a settlement, both sides have agreed to maintain peace and tranquillity in the border areas on the basis of relevant agreements”.
