US State Dept says 'closely following' Kashmir events, calls for maintaining peace
US State Dept says 'closely following' Kashmir events, notes that 'Indian government has described these actions as strictly an internal matter'
August 06, 2019
WASHINGTON: The United States is "closely following the events in the state of Jammu and Kashmir", its Department of State said in a statement issued late Monday.
Reacting to the events unfolding in occupied Kashmir, the US State Department said: "We take note of India’s announcement revising the constitutional status of Jammu and Kashmir and India’s plan to split the state into two union territories.
"We note that the Indian government has described these actions as strictly an internal matter. We are concerned about reports of detentions and urge respect for individual rights and discussion with those in affected communities," the statement added.
In addition, the State Department further called for all stakeholders to maintain peace.
"We call on all parties to maintain peace and stability along the Line of Control," its statement read.
Numerous stakeholders have expressed concern on the matter, with Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan terming India’s move to revoke Article 370 in occupied Kashmir as illegal and one that would destroy regional peace and security.
Two of Pakistan's allies nations, Malaysia and Turkey, also said they would remain in contact and were concerned.
Malaysia Prime Minister Mahathir bin Mohamad said Kuala Lumpur was closely evaluating the situation and would remain in contact with Pakistan whereas Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan expressed serious concerns regarding the deteriorating situation in occupied Kashmir and assured that Ankara would continue supporting Islamabad.
Earlier, on Monday morning, the Indian government had rushed through a presidential decree to abolish Article 370 of the Constitution that grants special status to Indian occupied Kashmir.
Pakistan had condemned and rejected the Indian move and has announced that the issue will be highlighted in meetings with the US delegation visiting the country and the international community at large.
Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi had condemned the development, saying: "Pakistan reaffirms it's abiding commitment to the Kashmir cause and its political, diplomatic and moral support to the people of Occupied Jammu and Kashmir for realization of their inalienable right to self-determination."
A day prior, he had said that India, with its war frenzy, "is not only sabotaging regional peace but also committing gross human rights violations along the LOC".
Separately, Pakistani Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa has summoned a Corps Commanders Conference on Tuesday, wherein India’s illegal move to revoke Article 370, as well as the situation along the Line of Control (LoC), would be analysed.
Late Sunday night, the Indian authorities had imposed a lockdown across parts of Occupied Kashmir and placed the region’s former leadership under house arrest as tensions mount in the disputed valley.
Former chief ministers of Indian-occupied Kashmir (IoK), Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti, were placed under house arrest as curfew-like restrictions were imposed in the region.
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