J&K's Article 370 scrapped: UN chief invokes Shimla Agreement, rules out 'third party mediation'

Amid weakening relation between India and Pakistan after India scrapped Articke 370 providing special status to state of Jammu and Kashmir, United Nations chief Antonio Guterres on Thursday urged India and Pakistan to exercise "maximum restraint". He also urged two neighbouring countries to refrain from taking steps that could affect status of Jammu and Kashmir while highlighting  Shimla Agreement which rejects any third-party mediation on issue.

On Monday, India t only revoked Article 370 to withdraw special status to Jammu and Kashmir and bifurcated state into two Union Territories - Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. Pakistan termed Indian action as "unilateral and illegal", and said it will take matter to UN Security Council, claiming that Kashmir is an international issue. 

" Secretary-General has been following situation in Jammu and Kashmir with concern and makes an appeal for maximum restraint," Guterres' spokesman Stephane Dujarric said. Dujarric specifically said that Secretary-General " recalled 1972 Agreement on bilateral relations between India and Pakistan, also kwn as Shimla Agreement, which states that final status of Jammu and Kashmir is to be settled by peaceful means" in accordance with Charter of United Nations. Secretary General did t offer his good offices r did he make any offer to mediate between India and Pakistan on Kashmir.

Guterres also called "on all parties to refrain from taking steps" that could affect status of Jammu and Kashmir. He said position of United Nations on region was governed by Charter of United Nations and is applicable to Security Council resolutions. When asked to be more specific about reference to UNSC resolutions on Kashmir in statement, Dujarric said "I'm t going to go into any more specifics of statement which also refers to our concern" about reports of restrictions in Kashmir in India. "So I'll refer you to statement," he said.

Dujarric reiterated that Guterres and UN Secretariat were following situation "very closely". He said re had been contacts from UN Secretariat both with Indian and Pakistani authorities and with Permanent Missions of India and Pakistan. He said re is plan for Secretary-General to brief Security Council on Kashmir.

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India scrapped Article 370

Narendra Modi government on August 5 revoked Article 370 which gave special status to Jammu and Kashmir. Both upper house and lower house of Parliament approved resolution abrogating Article 370 for J&K and a bill to bifurcate state into two union territories, Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, with Home Minister Amit Shah saying controversial provisions were responsible for poverty and lack of development in state. Ministry of External Affairs also briefed envoys of P5 nations -- US, UK, China, France and Russia -- about Indian government's decision to scrap Article 370 and bifurcate state into two union territories.

Pakistan's reaction after Article 370's abrogation:

After rmalcy has been restored in Kashmir, a panicky and isolated Pakistan has expelled Indian envoy Ajay Bisaria from country. As per sources, Pakistan has also decided to t send its High Commissioner-designate who was supposed to take charge in August. In a series of or moves by neighbouring country, it has decided to downgrade ties with India. It has also decided to suspend bilateral trade with India and review all bilateral arrangements with India. Pakistan has also said that it will take India's internal matter of Kashmir to United Nations, including Security Council. It has also decided to observe 14 August, its Independence Day in solidarity with 'Kashmiris'. and declared August 15, India's Independence as 'Black Day'. It has on Thursday decided to stop Samjhauta Express - a train service between India's Attari and Pakistan's Lahore.

READ: J&K's Article 370 scrapped: Pakistan officially cites Congress in its attempts internationalise India's internal affairs

PM Modi's mess:

Addressing nation first time after abrogation of Artile 370, PM Modi said that Centre is working to bring maximum development in Jammua nd Kashmir and Ladhakh that has been igred for decades. He reiterated determination to remove terror from J&K. He attacked 'status quo' mindset of people that made m think that thing would change even with time. 

"Jammu and Kashmir was least benefitted by Article 370. In fact, Article 370 and 35A forced state to be involved in corruption, dynastic politics, and sponsored terrorism and all this was carried on by Pakistan through certain nts in India, who worked for personal gains. 42,000 incent people have lost ir lives until w, and it would bring tears to anyone's eyes", he said.

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