New Delhi, 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.
