The United States has called for “peace and stability” along the disputed border that separates India and Pakistan in Kashmir after New Delhi overruled the special status granted to the Indian occupied portion of the Kashmir.
Read More: Articles 370 and 35A – How they sustain Kashmir’s special status
India’s move on Monday came after India’s BJP-led government imposed a major security clampdown in the region, with all communication lines suspended and local politicians put under house amid escalating tensions following a massive stationing of troops.
Morgan Ortagus, a spokeswoman for the US department of state, said Washington was following events in Indian-administered Kashmir “closely”.
“We are concerned about reports of detentions and urge respect for individual rights and discussion with those in affected communities,” she said in a statement.
“We call on all parties to maintain peace and stability along the Line of Control,” she added.
India and Pakistan both claim Kashmir in full and both nuclear-armed neighbors have fought two of their three wars over Kashmir dispute.
Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan has condemned New Delhi’s latest move stating, it “was in clear violation of United Nations Security Council resolutions” in the region.
During a premier’s visit to Washington, last month, US President Trump offered mediation between Indo-Pak dispute over Kashmir, an offer that Pakistan welcomed and India rejected.
“President Trump offered to mediate on Kashmir. This is the time to do so as the situation deteriorates there and along (the Line of Control), with new aggressive actions being taken by Indian occupation forces,” said Khan. “This has the potential to blow up into a regional crisis,” he added.
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, meanwhile, has urged India and Pakistan to restraint, according to a spokesperson.
A spokesperson for the Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, Stephane Dujarric told reporters on Monday that the world body’s peacekeepers observing a ceasefire between India and Pakistan in the state of Jammu and Kashmir “have observed and reported an increase in military activity along the Line of Control that divides India- and Pakistan-administered Kashmir.”
“We urge all parties to exercise restraint,” he said.
