Australian High Commissioner to New Delhi Harinder Sidhu said on Friday that the Indian government's decision to abrogate Article 370 is country's internal matter, and stressed that the Kashmir issue should be resolved bilaterally by New Delhi and Islamabad.

"The Indian government said this is its internal matter. We respect the Indian position on that. Australia's long-held view on Kashmir has been that it should be resolved bilaterally by India and Pakistan," Sidhu told ANI.

Sidhu expressed hope the region would become stable and peaceful and the economic development would eventuate.

"We do hope as situation proceeds in Kashmir that it will be stable, peaceful and that economic development eventuate. We do hope that both countries act in restraint and consider the safety and security of the people in the process," she added.

Earlier this month, India had announced its decision to revoke the special status of Jammu and Kashmir and reorganise it into two union territories.

Pakistan, with the help of China, approached the United Nations over the issue.

However, the China-Pakistan axis failed at the UNSC closed-door meeting when a majority of the Council members, including Russia, refused to take up the Kashmir matter and rejected the Chinese position.

China and Pakistan stood isolated after the other members refused to endorse their position.

Australian High Commissioner to New Delhi Harinder Sidhu said on Friday that the Indian government's decision to abrogate Article 370 is country's internal matter, and stressed that the Kashmir issue should be resolved bilaterally by New Delhi and Islamabad.

Australian High Commissioner to New Delhi Harinder Sidhu said on Friday that the Indian government's decision to abrogate Article 370 is country's internal matter, and stressed that the Kashmir issue should be resolved bilaterally by New Delhi and Islamabad. "The Indian government said this is its internal matter. We respect the Indian position on that. Australia's long-held view on Kashmir has been that it should be resolved bilaterally by India and Pakistan," Sidhu told ANI. Sidhu expressed hope the region would become stable and peaceful and the economic development would eventuate. "We do hope as situation proceeds in Kashmir that it will be stable, peaceful and that economic development eventuate. We do hope that both countries act in restraint and consider the safety and security of the people in the process," she added. Earlier this month, India had announced its decision to revoke the special status of Jammu and Kashmir and reorganise it into two union territories. Pakistan, with the help of China, approached the United Nations over the issue. However, the China-Pakistan axis failed at the UNSC closed-door meeting when a majority of the Council members, including Russia, refused to take up the Kashmir matter and rejected the Chinese position. China and Pakistan stood isolated after the other members refused to endorse their position.

Abrogation of Article-370 is India's internal matter: Aussie envoy Harinder Sidhu

Army Chief General Bipin Rawat will on Friday visit Srinagar for the first time since the revocation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir.

During his visit, General Rawat will review the security situation and preparedness of armed forces in the Valley.

On Wednesday, Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik held a press conference and asserted that the Modi government's decision to abrogate Article 370 is for the betterment of the people of the region.&nbsp;

He added that there have been no civilian casualties in Kashmir after the scrapping of the Article.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has also stressed that normalcy is returning to the Valley.

Ever since the government announced its move on Article 370, the top brass of the Army has frequently undertaken visits to the Valley to review the security situation.

National Security Advisor Ajit Doval also camped in the Valley to take stock of the situation on the ground and interacted with the locals.

Security was beefed up in the region after the abrogation of Article 370 and bifurcation of the state into two Union Territories -- Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh on August 5.

Army Chief General Bipin Rawat will on Friday visit Srinagar for the first time since the revocation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir. During his visit, General Rawat will review the security situation and preparedness of armed forces in the Valley.

Army Chief General Bipin Rawat will on Friday visit Srinagar for the first time since the revocation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir. During his visit, General Rawat will review the security situation and preparedness of armed forces in the Valley. On Wednesday, Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik held a press conference and asserted that the Modi government's decision to abrogate Article 370 is for the betterment of the people of the region. He added that there have been no civilian casualties in Kashmir after the scrapping of the Article. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has also stressed that normalcy is returning to the Valley. Ever since the government announced its move on Article 370, the top brass of the Army has frequently undertaken visits to the Valley to review the security situation. National Security Advisor Ajit Doval also camped in the Valley to take stock of the situation on the ground and interacted with the locals. Security was beefed up in the region after the abrogation of Article 370 and bifurcation of the state into two Union Territories -- Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh on August 5.

Army Chief to review security situation in Srinagar today

BJP MP from Bhopal, Pragya Singh Thakur on Friday asserted that Ram Temple will be built in Ayodhya in the same manner by which Article 370 was abrogated from Jammu and Kashmir.

Thakur, who is known for making controversial statements, said, "Ram Mandir will be built in Ayodhya, the same way Article 370 was removed from Jammu and Kashmir. Nothing will happen to me till the construction of the shrine in Ayodhya."

"Everyone believes now that removal of Article 370 has united the country. Now a grand Ram Temple will be built and we all witness it soon," she said while speaking to reporters in Indore.

Recently, Uttar Pradesh Minister Sunil Bharala gave a statement on similar lines.

He told ANI, "Temple of Lord Ram will be built during the tenure of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. He is a decisive man, he will be the one to build the temple with his own hands, he has 'apaar shakti'&nbsp;in him."

"The day-to-day hearing on Ayodhya matter is taking place in the Supreme Court and a decision will be taken soon in the favour of the construction of Ram temple... Even the Muslim community supports this," he claimed.

Fourteen appeals are pending before the apex court against the 2010 Allahabad High Court verdict which ordered equal division of the 2.77-acre disputed land in Ayodhya among the three parties- Sunni Waqf Board, the Nirmohi Akhara and Ram Lalla.

The 16th-century Babri Masjid was demolished on 6 December 1992.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

BJP MP from Bhopal, Pragya Singh Thakur on Friday asserted that Ram Temple will be built in Ayodhya in the same manner by which Article 370 was abrogated from Jammu and Kashmir.

BJP MP from Bhopal, Pragya Singh Thakur on Friday asserted that Ram Temple will be built in Ayodhya in the same manner by which Article 370 was abrogated from Jammu and Kashmir. Thakur, who is known for making controversial statements, said, "Ram Mandir will be built in Ayodhya, the same way Article 370 was removed from Jammu and Kashmir. Nothing will happen to me till the construction of the shrine in Ayodhya." "Everyone believes now that removal of Article 370 has united the country. Now a grand Ram Temple will be built and we all witness it soon," she said while speaking to reporters in Indore. Recently, Uttar Pradesh Minister Sunil Bharala gave a statement on similar lines. He told ANI, "Temple of Lord Ram will be built during the tenure of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. He is a decisive man, he will be the one to build the temple with his own hands, he has 'apaar shakti' in him." "The day-to-day hearing on Ayodhya matter is taking place in the Supreme Court and a decision will be taken soon in the favour of the construction of Ram temple... Even the Muslim community supports this," he claimed. Fourteen appeals are pending before the apex court against the 2010 Allahabad High Court verdict which ordered equal division of the 2.77-acre disputed land in Ayodhya among the three parties- Sunni Waqf Board, the Nirmohi Akhara and Ram Lalla. The 16th-century Babri Masjid was demolished on 6 December 1992.

After removal of Article 370, Ram temple will now be built in Ayodhya: Pragya Thakur

The challenges following the historic revocation of Jammu and Kashmir’s special status straddle two broad categories. First, maintaining peace in the Valley in the immediate aftermath of the Parliament approving the abrogation of Article 370 of the Indian Constitution. That phase is now over.&nbsp;

The second, more difficult task, is to sustain peace in the Valley in the long term. There is a powerful confluence of vested interests arrayed against allowing peace to settle in the Valley.&nbsp;

Pakistan has used Kashmir to prosecute its 30-year-long proxy war with India. The end of J&amp;K’s special status has dealt Islamabad an existentialist blow.&nbsp;

At the meeting this week between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and United States President Donald Trump at the G7 Summit in France, the bogey of US “mediation” in J&amp;K was buried.&nbsp;

By unleashing jihad in Kashmir three decades ago, the renegade Pakistani Army sought not only to make India bleed by a thousand cuts, but to stamp its centrality within Pakistan. Globally, it projected Pakistan as a victim of Indian aggression in a disputed territory. That narrative is now thoroughly discredited.&nbsp;

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh declared publicly that the only topic of discussion henceforth with Pakistan — once it ceases sponsoring terrorism against India — will be Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). His statement that India’s no-first-use nuclear doctrine is no longer cast in stone has further unnerved Islamabad. By responding with nuclear jingoism, Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan has exposed Islamabad’s paranoia.&nbsp;

Low-intensity jihad is a lucrative business. It has helped boost Pakistan’s defence budget to nearly 4 per cent&nbsp;of GDP, among the highest ratios in the world. The Pakistani Army skims the cream off defence contracts into the foreign accounts of Rawalpindi’s Generals. The last 30 years have built the personal wealth of Pakistan’s senior military officers. Unlike armed forces officers in democracies, they suffer no oversight from the civilian government. That business model could be disrupted by India’s new policy on Pakistan and J&amp;K.&nbsp;

Hurriyat separatists are the other big losers in J&amp;K’s new status, liberated from the suffocating grip of Article 370. The Hurriyat reports to Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), Pakistan’s notorious spy agency, through the Pakistani High Commission in New Delhi. The separatists act as a conduit for the ISI’s terror funding. They also provide ready cash to stone pelters to hinder counter-terror operations by Indian security forces. That business model, too, is now broken.&nbsp;

What about mainstream political leaders “locked up” in palace hotels and guest houses? This week, Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti declined the government’s offer of conditional release. Some argue that India has alienated these legitimate representatives of the Valley. That is debatable. The Valley’s feudal dynasts, who won rigged elections in the past and spoke with forked tongues in support of separatists, are part of J&amp;K’s discredited political ecosystem. &nbsp;Within this ecosystem flourishes corruption, nepotism and misgovernance. Elections in the new delimited J&amp;K Assembly will separate the wheat from the chaff.&nbsp;

Another key to returning Kashmir to normalcy will be the success of the global investors conference to be held in J&amp;K in October. Co-hosted by the Confederation of Indian Industries (CII), the conference is expected to attract companies ranging from Reliance Industries and Kotak-Mahindra Bank to multi-nationals in infrastructure, healthcare, hospitality and information technology.&nbsp;

For the first time in 70 years, non-Kashmiri employees of these companies will be able to enrol their children in government schools in J&amp;K.&nbsp;

Not everyone in India is happy with the liberation of Kashmir from the chains Article 370 bound it in for 70 years. In a democracy, dissent is both welcome and necessary. A plurality of voices helps provide nuance to every issue. Let’s examine two such voices.&nbsp;

The first is Pratap Bhanu Mehta, vice-chancellor of Ashoka University. Mehta wrote recently in a leading daily criticising the Supreme Court’s anodyne reaction to several petitions filed with it against the abrogation of Article 370:

“Our legal abdication on liberties is a sign that we are not ready to treat Kashmiris as ordinary Indians and that we are willing to debase ourselves in the face of an executive that is acting more colonially than a colonial power.” Mehta is wrong. Parliament reflects the collective will of the people, a point the Supreme Court, too, made during the brief hearing it gave the petitioners. To portray an empowering legislation on Article 370, approved by both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, as worse than the action of a colonial power, as Mehta does, exhibits prejudice, not reason.&nbsp;

The second example is equally telling. Ashok Varshney, a professor at Brown University, wrote in the same daily: “Only in one democratic sense — democracy as a system of electoral power — can the decision to change Kashmir’s status be called potentially legitimate. In all other democratic senses, we have witnessed severely anti-democratic conduct. It was electorally-enabled brute majoritarianism.”&nbsp;

The speciousness of this argument is obvious. Democracy is not a malleable concept. If majoritarianism is bad in the rest of India — and it is — it is bad in J&amp;K as well. Varshney can’t have it both ways: good in J&amp;K, bad in the rest of India.&nbsp;

The next few weeks will reveal how Kashmiris react to their new status — and how Pakistan-sponsored terrorists and the corrupt local political ecosystem come to terms with their own diminished status.&nbsp;

(This article was originally published on The DNA. Read the <a href="https://www.dnaindia.com/analysis/column-kashmir-winning-the-peace-2785720">original article</a>)

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)&nbsp;

 
&nbsp;

The challenges following the historic revocation of Jammu and Kashmir’s special status straddle two broad categories. First, maintaining peace in the Valley in the immediate aftermath of the Parliament approving the abrogation of Article 370 of the Indian Constitution.

The challenges following the historic revocation of Jammu and Kashmir’s special status straddle two broad categories. First, maintaining peace in the Valley in the immediate aftermath of the Parliament approving the abrogation of Article 370 of the Indian Constitution. That phase is now over. The second, more difficult task, is to sustain peace in the Valley in the long term. There is a powerful confluence of vested interests arrayed against allowing peace to settle in the Valley. Pakistan has used Kashmir to prosecute its 30-year-long proxy war with India. The end of J&K’s special status has dealt Islamabad an existentialist blow. At the meeting this week between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and United States President Donald Trump at the G7 Summit in France, the bogey of US “mediation” in J&K was buried. By unleashing jihad in Kashmir three decades ago, the renegade Pakistani Army sought not only to make India bleed by a thousand cuts, but to stamp its centrality within Pakistan. Globally, it projected Pakistan as a victim of Indian aggression in a disputed territory. That narrative is now thoroughly discredited. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh declared publicly that the only topic of discussion henceforth with Pakistan — once it ceases sponsoring terrorism against India — will be Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). His statement that India’s no-first-use nuclear doctrine is no longer cast in stone has further unnerved Islamabad. By responding with nuclear jingoism, Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan has exposed Islamabad’s paranoia. Low-intensity jihad is a lucrative business. It has helped boost Pakistan’s defence budget to nearly 4 per cent of GDP, among the highest ratios in the world. The Pakistani Army skims the cream off defence contracts into the foreign accounts of Rawalpindi’s Generals. The last 30 years have built the personal wealth of Pakistan’s senior military officers. Unlike armed forces officers in democracies, they suffer no oversight from the civilian government. That business model could be disrupted by India’s new policy on Pakistan and J&K. Hurriyat separatists are the other big losers in J&K’s new status, liberated from the suffocating grip of Article 370. The Hurriyat reports to Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), Pakistan’s notorious spy agency, through the Pakistani High Commission in New Delhi. The separatists act as a conduit for the ISI’s terror funding. They also provide ready cash to stone pelters to hinder counter-terror operations by Indian security forces. That business model, too, is now broken. What about mainstream political leaders “locked up” in palace hotels and guest houses? This week, Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti declined the government’s offer of conditional release. Some argue that India has alienated these legitimate representatives of the Valley. That is debatable. The Valley’s feudal dynasts, who won rigged elections in the past and spoke with forked tongues in support of separatists, are part of J&K’s discredited political ecosystem. Within this ecosystem flourishes corruption, nepotism and misgovernance. Elections in the new delimited J&K Assembly will separate the wheat from the chaff. Another key to returning Kashmir to normalcy will be the success of the global investors conference to be held in J&K in October. Co-hosted by the Confederation of Indian Industries (CII), the conference is expected to attract companies ranging from Reliance Industries and Kotak-Mahindra Bank to multi-nationals in infrastructure, healthcare, hospitality and information technology. For the first time in 70 years, non-Kashmiri employees of these companies will be able to enrol their children in government schools in J&K. Not everyone in India is happy with the liberation of Kashmir from the chains Article 370 bound it in for 70 years. In a democracy, dissent is both welcome and necessary. A plurality of voices helps provide nuance to every issue. Let’s examine two such voices. The first is Pratap Bhanu Mehta, vice-chancellor of Ashoka University. Mehta wrote recently in a leading daily criticising the Supreme Court’s anodyne reaction to several petitions filed with it against the abrogation of Article 370: “Our legal abdication on liberties is a sign that we are not ready to treat Kashmiris as ordinary Indians and that we are willing to debase ourselves in the face of an executive that is acting more colonially than a colonial power.” Mehta is wrong. Parliament reflects the collective will of the people, a point the Supreme Court, too, made during the brief hearing it gave the petitioners. To portray an empowering legislation on Article 370, approved by both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, as worse than the action of a colonial power, as Mehta does, exhibits prejudice, not reason. The second example is equally telling. Ashok Varshney, a professor at Brown University, wrote in the same daily: “Only in one democratic sense — democracy as a system of electoral power — can the decision to change Kashmir’s status be called potentially legitimate. In all other democratic senses, we have witnessed severely anti-democratic conduct. It was electorally-enabled brute majoritarianism.” The speciousness of this argument is obvious. Democracy is not a malleable concept. If majoritarianism is bad in the rest of India — and it is — it is bad in J&K as well. Varshney can’t have it both ways: good in J&K, bad in the rest of India. The next few weeks will reveal how Kashmiris react to their new status — and how Pakistan-sponsored terrorists and the corrupt local political ecosystem come to terms with their own diminished status. (This article was originally published on The DNA. Read the original article) (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)

With many shibboleths shattered, big challenge for India now is to maintain peace in Jammu and Kashmir

The Supreme Court on Wednesday heard petitions challenging Central government’s decision to <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/repealing-article-370-is-indias-internal-matter-pm-modi-tells-un-secretary-general-245822">abrogate Article 370</a> and referred the matter to a 5-judge constitution bench. The matter has now been posted for review in October.&nbsp;

The top court has also issued notices to the Centre and state seeking their response on the issue.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Over 10 petitions were filed in the top court related to the recent developments in the Kashmir Valley.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, the Supreme Court bench, headed by CJI Ranjan Gogoi, allowed CPM general secretary Sitaram Yechury to travel to Srinagar to meet former MLA Tarigami.&nbsp;

However, Solicitor General submitted in the apex court that Yechury’s visit is for political purpose and could endanger situation that is returning to normal. When solicitor general raised objections against the court’s order, CJI Ranjan Gogoi remarked, “what’s wrong with one citizen meeting another? If Mr Yechury indulges in any other act except meeting Tarigami, it will be considered as a violation of the Court's order”, he said.&nbsp;

Attorney General KK Venugopal was quick to add to the narrative and told the Supreme Court bench that, “it’s a very sensitive issue. Statements made here are seen and read at the UN.”

Neighbouring state Pakistan has raised tough objection on Article 370 abrogation. India has reiterated that the issue is the country's internal matter, maintaining that Kashmir remains a bilateral issue with Pakistan without any requirement for third-party mediation.&nbsp;

The Indian government had earlier this month repealed Article 370, which gave special powers to Jammu and Kashmir and also reorganised Jammu and Kashmir into two union territories.

The Supreme Court on Wednesday heard petitions challenging Central government’s decision to abrogate Article 370 and referred the matter to a 5-judge constitution bench.

The Supreme Court on Wednesday heard petitions challenging Central government’s decision to abrogate Article 370 and referred the matter to a 5-judge constitution bench. The matter has now been posted for review in October. The top court has also issued notices to the Centre and state seeking their response on the issue. Over 10 petitions were filed in the top court related to the recent developments in the Kashmir Valley. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court bench, headed by CJI Ranjan Gogoi, allowed CPM general secretary Sitaram Yechury to travel to Srinagar to meet former MLA Tarigami. However, Solicitor General submitted in the apex court that Yechury’s visit is for political purpose and could endanger situation that is returning to normal. When solicitor general raised objections against the court’s order, CJI Ranjan Gogoi remarked, “what’s wrong with one citizen meeting another? If Mr Yechury indulges in any other act except meeting Tarigami, it will be considered as a violation of the Court's order”, he said. Attorney General KK Venugopal was quick to add to the narrative and told the Supreme Court bench that, “it’s a very sensitive issue. Statements made here are seen and read at the UN.” Neighbouring state Pakistan has raised tough objection on Article 370 abrogation. India has reiterated that the issue is the country's internal matter, maintaining that Kashmir remains a bilateral issue with Pakistan without any requirement for third-party mediation. The Indian government had earlier this month repealed Article 370, which gave special powers to Jammu and Kashmir and also reorganised Jammu and Kashmir into two union territories.

Article 370 abrogation: Supreme Court to review petitions in October, notice sent to Centre

From the time the government&nbsp;revoked Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir (J&amp;K) and split the state into two Union Territories (UTs), opposition leaders have used the move to attack the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.&nbsp;Although the decision was taken to improve the security situation and facilitate smooth integration of J&amp;K with India.

Rahul Gandhi, who ran 'Chowkidar Chor Hai' campaign against the Prime Minister (targetting the PM as a corrupt leader) during Lok Sabha elections, this time too used the decision on Jammu and Kashmir to slam the government.

Several Congress leaders including Jyotiraditya Scindia, Milind Deora supported the abrogation of Article 370, however, Rahul Gandhi tried to steal the limelight by criticising the government and PM Modi.

Furthermore, a section of Congress's senior leadership came out in support of the decision, saying that demonising Prime Minister Narendra Modi won't help Congress. Jairam Ramesh said that&nbsp;Modi's governance model was not a "complete negative story". Echoing Ramesh's views, Abhishek Manu Singhvi said by demonising Modi all the time Congress was, in a way, is helping him.

Shashi Tharoor also joined the two&nbsp;leaders, saying that praising Modi for the right things he does would lend credibility to Congress's criticism of him.

It's worth noting here that after Congress's debacle in Lok Sabha elections, political&nbsp;pundits and a few Congress leaders had alerted Rahul Gandhi to refrain from launching negative campaigns against Narendra Modi.

Some even questioned Rahul's leadership skills and blamed him for keeping self above the party. But Rahul paid no heed to them.

The worry and concern of party leaders actually proved to be correct when Pakistan on Tuesday quoted Rahul Gandhi in its petition to the United Nations over India's decision to scrap Article 370.

Issuing a clarification, Rahul Gandhi asserted that J&amp;K is India's internal matter and Pakistan has no right to interfere in it. He further said that the terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir is sponsored by Pakistan.

Rahul, once again, came under the fire for giving Pakistan a reason to showcase India in a bad light in front of the international community. Like his senior party colleagues, Rahul should have supported the government's decision on Kashmir because it&nbsp;serves India's national security interests.&nbsp;

Rahul Gandhi had to step down as Congress President following his party's poor performance in Lok Sabha elections and now with Pakistan using his name to score points on the international front, he has met another blow. 
 
It's high time he realises that negative politics and his strategy to attack BJP and PM Modi all the time, would only harm his credibility.&nbsp; 
 
(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL) 
&nbsp;

 
&nbsp;

From the time the government revoked Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) and split the state into two Union Territories (UTs), opposition leaders have used the move to attack the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

From the time the government revoked Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) and split the state into two Union Territories (UTs), opposition leaders have used the move to attack the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Although the decision was taken to improve the security situation and facilitate smooth integration of J&K with India. Rahul Gandhi, who ran 'Chowkidar Chor Hai' campaign against the Prime Minister (targetting the PM as a corrupt leader) during Lok Sabha elections, this time too used the decision on Jammu and Kashmir to slam the government. Several Congress leaders including Jyotiraditya Scindia, Milind Deora supported the abrogation of Article 370, however, Rahul Gandhi tried to steal the limelight by criticising the government and PM Modi. Furthermore, a section of Congress's senior leadership came out in support of the decision, saying that demonising Prime Minister Narendra Modi won't help Congress. Jairam Ramesh said that Modi's governance model was not a "complete negative story". Echoing Ramesh's views, Abhishek Manu Singhvi said by demonising Modi all the time Congress was, in a way, is helping him. Shashi Tharoor also joined the two leaders, saying that praising Modi for the right things he does would lend credibility to Congress's criticism of him. It's worth noting here that after Congress's debacle in Lok Sabha elections, political pundits and a few Congress leaders had alerted Rahul Gandhi to refrain from launching negative campaigns against Narendra Modi. Some even questioned Rahul's leadership skills and blamed him for keeping self above the party. But Rahul paid no heed to them. The worry and concern of party leaders actually proved to be correct when Pakistan on Tuesday quoted Rahul Gandhi in its petition to the United Nations over India's decision to scrap Article 370. Issuing a clarification, Rahul Gandhi asserted that J&K is India's internal matter and Pakistan has no right to interfere in it. He further said that the terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir is sponsored by Pakistan. Rahul, once again, came under the fire for giving Pakistan a reason to showcase India in a bad light in front of the international community. Like his senior party colleagues, Rahul should have supported the government's decision on Kashmir because it serves India's national security interests. Rahul Gandhi had to step down as Congress President following his party's poor performance in Lok Sabha elections and now with Pakistan using his name to score points on the international front, he has met another blow. It's high time he realises that negative politics and his strategy to attack BJP and PM Modi all the time, would only harm his credibility. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Article 370 abrogation: Rahul Gandhi should listen to his 'constructive critics'

India's long-time ally Russia today came out strongly in support of India on the issue of abrogation of article 370 by the NDA government. Russian ambassador to India, Nikolay Kudashev said that abrogation of article 370 is an internal matter of India and is also India's sovereign decision.

India's long-time ally Russia today came out strongly in support of India on the issue of abrogation of article 370 by the NDA government. Russian ambassador to India, Nikolay Kudashev said that abrogation of article 370 is an internal matter of India and is also India's sovereign decision. "All disputes between India and Pakistan can be resolved through the Shimla and Lahore agreement and our view is exactly as that of India,” he said. India has always maintained that issues between India and Pakistan are bilateral innature and does not require mediation from any international power. Russia's views comes in the wake of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's high profile visit to Vladivostok, Russia’s pacific capital next week. The Indian prime minister will be the chief guest at the Eastern Economic Forum(EEF) being hosted by Russia. PM Modi is expected to hold a bilateral talks with President Putin during his visit. Kudashev’s deputy, Roman Babushki said that India’s Defence Minister Rajnath Singh's comments on ‘no-first use’ of nuclear weapons is India’s internal matter. Russia's clear support to India on Jammu and Kashmir has once again proved that Pakistan hasn't been succuessful in internationalising the Kashmir issue and has failed to convince major powers on the issue. Pakistan's chief ally China has remained the sole exception in the case. The Russian ambassador said that the EEF in Vladivostok has become another promising platform for Russia-India business interaction like the Saint Petersburg Economic Forum or Vibrant Gujarat. Kudashev added that the summit will witness high level engagement and will lay the foundation of India-Russia relationship in trade, investment, energy, tourism and people-to-people interaction. “We do expect that this highly anticipated meeting between President Putin and Prime Minister Modi will extract new quality of bilateral special and privileged strategic partnership talking it to new heights.” Recently, India's commerce minister Piyush Goel visited Russia with a high level delegation which included 140 Indian businessmen. Russia’s Far East is sparsely populated but India has not taken the lead which Chinese have done in the area. There is a small diaspora in Vladivostok, but it is limited to diamond and tea sector. Lot of Indian students also go to Russia for medical degrees and Vladivostok also has a share of them. Russia wants trade with India to reach 30 billion dollars by 2025 which pales in front of China-India trade volume. Both nations trade volume is around 60 billion dollars. Russia was once closest strategic partner of India but over a period India diversified itself in both trade and defence with other countries. Russia wants to provide a new impetus to new forms of collaboration in military and military-technical cooperation, nuclear, hydrocarbon and alternative technology. To deliver S-400 in 2023 India will receive S-400 in 2023, Roman Babushek, Depyty Ambassador to India said and added that the delivery is on time despite intense American pressure on the Indian government to not to go ahead with the deal.

Russia backs India on abrogation of Article 370, says it's an internal matter

Pakistan Prime Minister<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-economic-crisis-countrys-debts-liabilities-exceed-the-size-of-its-gdp-245554"> Imran Khan</a> addressed his nation today as he sought to "internationalise" the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pm-modi-meets-president-trump-at-g7-summit-245727">Kashmir issue</a> even as the UN said the repeal of Article 370 was India's internal matter. 
&nbsp; 
"We have succeeded in internationalising the issue of Kashmir, we talked to world leaders and embassies. UN for the first time since 1965, convened a meeting on the Kashmir issue. Even international media has picked it up," the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/selected-government-of-pakistan-should-be-worried-about-economy-reham-khan-243992">Pakistan prime minister</a> said during the national address.

"If the conflict moves towards war then remember both nations have nuclear weapons and no one is the winner in a nuclear war and it has global ramifications," said Imran Khan in his televised address to his nation, adding, "superpowers of the world have a huge responsibility..whether they support us or not Pakistan will go to every extent."

Watch: PM Modi makes position on Kashmir clear; says Kashmir issue should be handled bilaterally

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As the Pakistan prime minister spoke, the UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres told PM Modi at the sidelines of the G7 summit that the repeal of Article 370 was India's internal matter and no step has been taken by New Delhi that in any manner threatens regional peace.

PM Modi told the UN chief that terrorism was the primary threat and in keeping with that certain restrictions will remain in place in Jammu and Kashmir to ensure law and order is maintained.

Earlier during the day while in a meeting between PM Modi and President Trump on the sidelines of the G7 summit, the US president told the press that he had spoken to the Indian prime minister on the Kashmir issue while emphasising that PM Modi had the situation under control.

"They speak with Pakistan and I'm sure that they will be able to do something that will be very good," Trump added.

During the address, the Pakistan prime minister accused India of racism and painted Kashmir as a "religious conflict" while also taking responsibility for raising the Kashmir issue. Imran hoped that Muslim countries will back Pakistan at some point.

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan addressed his nation today as he sought to "internationalise" the Kashmir issue even as the UN said the repeal of Article 370 was India's internal matter.

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan addressed his nation today as he sought to "internationalise" the Kashmir issue even as the UN said the repeal of Article 370 was India's internal matter. "We have succeeded in internationalising the issue of Kashmir, we talked to world leaders and embassies. UN for the first time since 1965, convened a meeting on the Kashmir issue. Even international media has picked it up," the Pakistan prime minister said during the national address. "If the conflict moves towards war then remember both nations have nuclear weapons and no one is the winner in a nuclear war and it has global ramifications," said Imran Khan in his televised address to his nation, adding, "superpowers of the world have a huge responsibility..whether they support us or not Pakistan will go to every extent." Watch: PM Modi makes position on Kashmir clear; says Kashmir issue should be handled bilaterally × As the Pakistan prime minister spoke, the UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres told PM Modi at the sidelines of the G7 summit that the repeal of Article 370 was India's internal matter and no step has been taken by New Delhi that in any manner threatens regional peace. PM Modi told the UN chief that terrorism was the primary threat and in keeping with that certain restrictions will remain in place in Jammu and Kashmir to ensure law and order is maintained. Earlier during the day while in a meeting between PM Modi and President Trump on the sidelines of the G7 summit, the US president told the press that he had spoken to the Indian prime minister on the Kashmir issue while emphasising that PM Modi had the situation under control. "They speak with Pakistan and I'm sure that they will be able to do something that will be very good," Trump added. During the address, the Pakistan prime minister accused India of racism and painted Kashmir as a "religious conflict" while also taking responsibility for raising the Kashmir issue. Imran hoped that Muslim countries will back Pakistan at some point.

We have succeeded in internationalising the issue of Kashmir, claims Imran in national address

Maldives foreign minister Abdulla Shahid who received a call from Pakistan foreign minister SM Qureshi to brief on <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/did-not-support-unsc-statement-uk-on-china-backed-consultative-meet-on-kashmir-245179">abrogation of article 370</a> has clearly stated that it was New Delhi's internal matter.

A statement from Maldives foreign ministry said: "Minister Shahid stated that the Maldives viewed the decision taken by India regarding Article 370 of the Indian Constitution as an internal matter."

"Both Pakistan and India are close friends and bilateral partners of the Maldives and stressed the importance of resolving differences between countries amicably through peaceful means," the foreign ministry added.

Watch Video: 

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-instead-of-meddling-in-kashmir-trump-could-do-these-244693/embed" width="560" height="350" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" autoplay=1 allowfullscreen></iframe></div>

The statement made by the Pakistani foreign ministry made no mention of what Madlvies foreign minister had told his Pakistani counterpart.

The Pakistani release said, "The Maldivian foreign minister said that they were closely watching the situation. The two leaders agreed to remain in contact and continue to work together for peace and stability in the region."

The Maldives which is the member of the organisation of Islamic Cooperation was one of the first neighbouring countries to back India, calling New Delhi's decision an internal one.&nbsp;

The Maldives foreign ministry in it is issued on August 7 said: "We believe that it is the right of every sovereign nation to amend their laws as required."

India's neighbours in the region have backed New Delhi on its August 5 decision to repeal special status for Jammu and Kashmir. While Bangladesh, Bhutan, Sri Lanka and the Maldives have called it an internal decision, Nepal and Afghanistan have called it a bilateral issue between New Delhi and Islamabad.&nbsp;

Don't misquote us: Sri Lanka to Pakistan

Earlier, Sri Lanka contradicted what the Pakistani High Commission in Colombo had said after a meeting between Pakistani High Commissioner and President Maithripala Sirisena with the President's office issuing a statement.&nbsp;

A statement issued by Pakistan High Commission in Colombo had said: "President acknowledged that Jammu and Kashmir is a disputed territory and expressed his desire that this dispute should be resolved according to wishes of Kashmiris under UNSC resolution. He also offered Sri Lanka's mediation and facilitation of dialogue between Pakistan and India to reactivate the SAARC forum."

It was contradicted by the Sri Lankan President's office, who said, "President stated that both India and Pakistan have excellent friendly relations with Sri Lanka and Sri Lanka's interest is to see the growth of regional cooperation and friendship."

"The president did not make any other comment on the issues pertaining to India and Pakistan," it added.

The Pakistani High Commissioner to Sri Lanka on Tuesday had met the President at the request of the former to brief him of India's decision to abrogate Article 370 on August 5.

Maldives foreign minister Abdulla Shahid who received a call from Pakistan foreign minister SM Qureshi to brief on abrogation of article 370 has clearly stated that it was New Delhi's internal matter.

Maldives foreign minister Abdulla Shahid who received a call from Pakistan foreign minister SM Qureshi to brief on abrogation of article 370 has clearly stated that it was New Delhi's internal matter. A statement from Maldives foreign ministry said: "Minister Shahid stated that the Maldives viewed the decision taken by India regarding Article 370 of the Indian Constitution as an internal matter." "Both Pakistan and India are close friends and bilateral partners of the Maldives and stressed the importance of resolving differences between countries amicably through peaceful means," the foreign ministry added. Watch Video: The statement made by the Pakistani foreign ministry made no mention of what Madlvies foreign minister had told his Pakistani counterpart. The Pakistani release said, "The Maldivian foreign minister said that they were closely watching the situation. The two leaders agreed to remain in contact and continue to work together for peace and stability in the region." The Maldives which is the member of the organisation of Islamic Cooperation was one of the first neighbouring countries to back India, calling New Delhi's decision an internal one. The Maldives foreign ministry in it is issued on August 7 said: "We believe that it is the right of every sovereign nation to amend their laws as required." India's neighbours in the region have backed New Delhi on its August 5 decision to repeal special status for Jammu and Kashmir. While Bangladesh, Bhutan, Sri Lanka and the Maldives have called it an internal decision, Nepal and Afghanistan have called it a bilateral issue between New Delhi and Islamabad. Don't misquote us: Sri Lanka to Pakistan Earlier, Sri Lanka contradicted what the Pakistani High Commission in Colombo had said after a meeting between Pakistani High Commissioner and President Maithripala Sirisena with the President's office issuing a statement. A statement issued by Pakistan High Commission in Colombo had said: "President acknowledged that Jammu and Kashmir is a disputed territory and expressed his desire that this dispute should be resolved according to wishes of Kashmiris under UNSC resolution. He also offered Sri Lanka's mediation and facilitation of dialogue between Pakistan and India to reactivate the SAARC forum." It was contradicted by the Sri Lankan President's office, who said, "President stated that both India and Pakistan have excellent friendly relations with Sri Lanka and Sri Lanka's interest is to see the growth of regional cooperation and friendship." "The president did not make any other comment on the issues pertaining to India and Pakistan," it added. The Pakistani High Commissioner to Sri Lanka on Tuesday had met the President at the request of the former to brief him of India's decision to abrogate Article 370 on August 5.

Abrogation of Article 370 India's internal decision: Maldives to Pakistan

More support for India's move on Jammu and Kashmir, after Maldives, Bhutan and Bangladesh, now Nepal too has come out and backed India on Kashmir issue. Watch full video to know more.

After Bhutan, Maldives and Bangladesh, Nepal backs India's move on J&K

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