Islamabad’s unilateral actions in respect to its bilateral relations with India, including the downgrading of diplomatic relations, are intended to present an alarming picture to the world

New Delhi today said that Islamabad’s unilateral actions in respect to its bilateral relations with India, including the downgrading of diplomatic relations, are intended to present an alarming picture to the world.

The Ministry of External Affairs said, the reasons for these steps cited by Pakistan are not supported by facts on the ground.

Expressing regret over the steps taken by Pakistan, it urged Islamabad to review them so that normal channels for diplomatic communications are preserved.

In a statement, the Ministry of External Affairs said the recent decisions by the Government and Parliament of India are driven by a commitment to extend to Jammu and Kashmir opportunities for development that were earlier denied by a temporary provision in the Constitution.

Its impact would also result in the removal of gender and socio-economic discrimination. The Ministry said, the decision taken by India is also expected to result in an upswing of economic activity and improvement in the livelihood prospects of all people of Jammu and Kashmir.

The Ministry said, it is not surprising that such developmental initiatives that could address any disaffection in Jammu and Kashmir should be negatively perceived in Pakistan, which has utilized such sentiments to justify its cross-border terrorism.

It said, the recent developments pertaining to Article 370 are entirely the internal affair of India. The Constitution of India was, is and will always be a sovereign matter. Seeking to interfere in that jurisdiction by invoking an alarmist vision of the region will never succeed.