China Withdraws Request For Kashmir Discussion After Facing Opposition at UNSC
In a relief to India, the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) opposed China's request to hold a discussion on Kashmir after which Beijing withdrew its request.
New Delhi, December 18: In a relief to India, the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) opposed China's request to hold a discussion on Kashmir after which Beijing withdrew its request. China, Pakistan's all-weather ally, had requested informally for a discussion of Kashmir under the "other business" head. This was seen as an attempt by China to embarrass India. However, China's informal request was vetoed by France. Jammu And Kashmir: Machine Generated SMS Services Resume for Postpaid Mobiles in Valley, Internet Still Shut.
"Kashmir will not be discussed in the Security Council today. Our position has been very clear. Kashmir issue has to be treated bilaterally. We have highlighted this several times recently, including in New York," French diplomatic sources were quoted by news agency ANI as saying. India has so far not reacted to the development. "India is not a member of the UN Security Council, so we are not in the room," sources told TOI.
After India withdrew Jammu and Kashmir's special status by abrogating Article 370 of its Constitution in August, China had raised the Kashmir issue in the United Nations. China had told the General Assembly that the "dispute" should be peacefully and properly addressed in accordance with the UN Charter, Security Council resolutions and the bilateral agreement, stressing that no actions should be taken that would unilaterally change the "status quo". Article 370 Revoked in Jammu and Kashmir : China Calls on India, Pakistan to Resolve Disputes Through Talks.
India has maintained that Kashmir is an integral part of the country and all nations should respect its sovereignty and territorial integrity. New Delhi ended Jammu and Kashmir’s special status by abrogating Article 370 of its Constitution and bifurcated the State into two Union Territories – Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh – on August 5. India’s decision evoked strong reactions from Pakistan, which downgraded diplomatic ties and expelled the Indian ambassador.
Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan raised the Kashmir issue in his maiden address to the UN General Assembly. Islamabad has been trying to internationalise the Kashmir issue even as India has ruled out third party mediation.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 18, 2019 08:39 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).