Russia backs India, says change in J-K's status 'carried within framework of the Constitution'

In a major boost to India’s diplomatic channels, Russia has backed Modi government's move to abrogate Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir saying, “Change in the status of the state of J&K and its division into two union territories are carried out within framework of the Constitution of the Republic of India.” 

Reiterating the need for both the countries to exercise restraint, Russian foreign ministry said that Moscow is a consistent supporter of normalisation of relations between India and Pakistan. And it hopes that the differences between them will be resolved by political and diplomatic means on a bilateral basis.

A statement issued by Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia reads, “Moscow expects that India and Pakistan will not allow aggravation of the situation in the region due to the change by Delhi in the status of the state of Jammu and Kashmir.”

Earlier, India’s Ministry of External Affairs issued a statement saying, "We have reached to several countries and explained our position. Senior officials of Government of India reached out to ambassadors and envoys and contacts have been made at MEA level as well. We did reach out to all countries including the United States."

Moreover, Pakistan decided to downgrade the diplomatic relations with India and suspended bilateral trade in a meeting of the country's National Security Committee, which comprises top political and military leadership, including Prime Minister Imran Khan and Army Chief Qamar Javed Bajwa. 

Also, China expressed serious concerns over the ongoing situation following the abrogation of Article 370 from Jammu and Kashmir. The response came in the bilateral meeting between Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi and Pakistani foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi.

In wake of India’s decision to abrogate Article 370, China had said that India 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.

Earlier, India scrapped 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 with legislature.