Article 370: Russia Too Backs India’s Decision To Change Status Of Jammu And Kashmir

Russia has backed the decision to revoke the Article 370 to end the special status of Jammu and Kashmir, saying India’s changes on Kashmir status are within the framework of the country’s constitution.

According to foreign media reports, it also hoped that the differences between India and Pakistan would be resolved bilaterally on the basis of the Simla Agreement and the Lahore Declaration.

“Moscow expects that India and Pakistan will not allow aggravation of the situation in the region due to the change by New Delhi in the status of the state of Jammu and Kashmir,” the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia said in a response to questions on Friday.

“We proceed from fact that the changes associated with the change in the status of the state of Jammu and Kashmir and its division into two union territories are carried out within the framework of the Constitution of the Republic of India,” the ministry said.

“We hope that the parties involved will not allow a new aggravation of the situation in the region as a result of the decisions.”

Earlier, the UAE too had stated that New Delhi’s decision to revoke Article 370, thus revoking the special status of Occupied Kashmir [Jammu and Kashmir] was an “internal matter” and the move would lead to peace.

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Also read: Kashmir: The UAE, The Maldives Back India’s Decision To Revoke Article 370

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In comments reported by the Emirati newspaper Gulf News, Al Banna said, “We expect that the changes would improve social justice and security and confidence of the people in the local governance and will encourage further stability and peace.”