New Delhi/Washington, August 15: The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) has reportedly decided to hold "closed consultations" tomorrow to discuss India's decision of scrapping the special status of Jammu and Kashmir under Article 370 of the Indian Constitution. This came after Pakistan wrote a letter to Security Council President, seeking a meeting on India's move, despite New Delhi's insistence that the abrogation of Article 370 was an internal matter.

According to reports, the UNSC will hold "closed consultations" to discuss the Kashmir issue tomorrow. "The UNSC will discuss the Jammu and Kashmir situation behind closed doors most likely on August 16," Pakistan-based Geo News quoted UNSC President Joanna Wronecka as saying. On Thursday, Pakistan's Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said Islamabad formally called for an emergency meeting of the UNSC to discuss India revoking the special status to Jammu and Kashmir. UNSC President Favours Dialogue Between India, Pakistan Over Jammu and Kashmir.

Earlier today, a UN diplomat told news agency PTI that China, an all-weather ally of Pakistan, has asked for “closed consultations” in the UN Security Council to discuss India revoking the special status to Jammu and Kashmir. “China asked for closed consultations on the Security Council agenda item ‘India Pakistan Question’. The request was in reference to the Pakistani letter to Security Council President," the diplomat was quoted as saying.

India's President Ram Nath Kovind last week signed an order ending the special status granted to Jammu and Kashmir under Article 370, a day after Parliament passed the resolution, along with a bill to bifurcate the state into two Union Territories - Jammu and Kashmir with a legislature and Ladakh without a legislature. In retaliation, Pakistan downgraded diplomatic ties with India.

Islamabad also expelled the Indian High Commissioner and suspended bilateral trade with New Delhi. India has categorically told the international community that its move to scrap Article 370 of the Constitution removing the special status to Jammu and Kashmir was an internal matter and has also advised Pakistan to "accept the reality".

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 15, 2019 09:57 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).