RFE
14 Aug 2019, 02:15 GMT+10
Pakistan on August 13 called for an urgent meeting of the UN Security Council following India's decision to strip Jammu and Kashmir of its autonomy, which Islamabad says threatens international peace and could lead to ethnic cleansing and genocide in the Muslim-majority region.
India's Hindu nationalist-led government on August 5 announced it was revoking Indian Kashmir's special constitutional status and downgrading its statehood, after placing the Muslim majority region under a security lockdown on August 4, with mobile, landline, and Internet networks cut off.
In an address to the nation on August 8, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the move would allow New Delhi to rid the region of "terrorism and separatism."
Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, in a letter to the Security Council, denounced 'recent aggressive actions' by India's government, saying they 'willfully undermine the internationally recognized disputed status of Jammu and Kashmir.'
Kashmir is claimed by both India and Pakistan and divided between them. Rebels have been fighting Indian rule for decades and most Kashmiri residents want independence or a merger with Pakistan.
Qureshi also accused India of implementing a 'racist ideology' aimed at turning Kashmir from a Muslim-majority into a Hindu-majority territory.
Polish Foreign Minister Jacek Czaputowicz, whose country holds the council presidency this month, said members would discuss the letter.
He said 'strained relations between India and Pakistan negatively affect the whole South Asia region.'
Based on reporting by AP
Copyright (c) 2018. RFE/RL, Inc. Republished with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave NW, Ste 400, Washington DC 20036
Get a daily dose of Herald Globe news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Herald Globe.
More InformationMADRID, Spain: Liverpool footballer Diogo Jota and his younger brother, André Silva, have died in a car accident in Spain. Spanish...
LONDON, U.K.: An unrelenting heatwave sweeping across Europe has pushed early summer temperatures to historic highs, triggering deadly...
President Donald Trump's plans to build a space-based Golden Dome missile defense shield have drawn immediate criticism from China,...
NEW YORK CITY, New York: Paramount has agreed to pay US$16 million to settle a lawsuit brought by U.S. President Donald Trump over...
LONDON, U.K.: British Prime Minister Keir Starmer won a vote in Parliament this week to move ahead with changes to the country's welfare...
WASHINGTON, D.C.: President Donald Trump will meet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House on Monday. President...
MADRID, Spain: Liverpool footballer Diogo Jota and his younger brother, André Silva, have died in a car accident in Spain. Spanish...
(Photo credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images) Desire Doue scored in the 78th minute, Ousmane Dembele added a second in stoppage time and...
ATLANTA, 5th July, 2025 (WAM) - Paris Saint-Germain beat German giants Bayern Munich 2-0 in the quarterfinals of the FIFA Club World...
(Photo credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images) The Arizona Diamondbacks reinstated right fielder Corbin Carroll from the 10-day...
(Photo credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images) Sacramento State head coach Brennan Marion reached into Southeastern Conference territory...
(Photo credit: Paul Witwer/Standard-Times / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images) The Houston Texans announced a $500,000 commitment...