Amid Kashmir crisis, Pak FM Shah Mehmood Qureshi leaves for China

Amid ongoing Kashmir tensions, Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi on Friday left for China. According to reports, Qureshi will apprise China about the recent developments in India-Pakistan political scenario. India on Tuesday removed part of Article 370 of the Indian Constitution that gave Jammu and Kashmir a significant autonomy. The central government also divided the state in two Union Territories (UTs) - Jammu and Kashmir with its own legislature and Ladakh without legislature.

China on Tuesday said they should avoid actions that “unilaterally” change the status quo and exacerbate tensions between them as it voiced “serious concern” over the situation in Kashmir. China also expressed its opposition to India’s move to create a separate Union Territory of Ladakh.

Asserting that China’s position on Kashmir was “clear and consistent”, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying in Beijing said the issue is a legacy of history between India and Pakistan, which is also the consensus of the international community.

Hua, in a written response to queries on exchange of fire along the Line of Control and the Indian government’s move to revoke Article 370 which gave special status to Jammu and Kashmir, said China is “seriously concerned” about the current situation in Kashmir.

Earlier, Pakistan decided to suspend bilateral trade with India. At the National Security Committee meeting, chaired by Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan, it was also decided to downgrade the diplomatic relations with New Delhi. 

"Our ambassadors will no longer be in New Delhi and their counterparts here will also be sent back," Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi told a local Pakistani tv channel.

The National Security Committee meeting was attended by Pakistan's Foreign Minister, Defence Minister, Interior Minister, Minister for Education, Minister for Human Rights, Minister for KA&GB, Law Minister, Adviser Finance, CJCSC, COAS, CAS, V-CNS, SAPM on Information, DG-ISI, DG-ISPR, Secretary Foreign Affairs and other senior officers.