China condemns India’s division of Kashmir

<p>China has spoken out against India following the decision to revoke Kashmir’s special status and split the land into two federal territories, both of which will be governed by New Delhi.</p> <p>The land has been split into two; one section for Jammu and Kashmir, and another for Ladakh.</p> <p>Geng Shuang, a spokesman for China’s Foreign Minister, responded to India’s decision with the following statement:</p> <blockquote><p> “The Indian government officially announced the establishment of so called Jammu Kashmir territory and Ladakh Union territory which included some of China’s territory into its administrative jurisdiction,”</p> <p>“China deplores and firmly opposed that. India unilaterally changes its domestic law and administrative divisions, challenging China’s sovereignty and interests. This is awful and void, and this is not effective in any way and will not change the fact that the area is under China’s actual control.” </p></blockquote> <p>India’s foreign Minister, Raveesh Kumar, has responded to China’s statement by saying;&nbsp;</p> <blockquote><p> “We do not expect other countries, including China, to comment on the matters which are internal to India, just as India refrains from commenting on internal issues of other countries”. </p></blockquote> <p>In 1962 India and China went to war over territorial disputes over the land known as Ladakh. China’s condemnation of India’s unilateral decision follows a meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping in Tamil Nadu, where both pledged to improve political and economic links with one another.</p> <p>India’s Foreign Minister further claimed that China was illegally occupying parts of Kashmir including Ladakh and was aided by Pakistan, a long-time ally. Pakistan has been routinely criticised by India for fuelling separatism and supporting militants. &nbsp;</p> <p>Pakistan has condemned India’s decision and protests were held throughout&nbsp;Pakistan's controlled areas of Kashmir.</p> <p>India has maintained that by stripping back protections for Kashmir and opening up property rights, they can revitalise the economy in this region and bring an end to the conflict.</p> <p>Read more <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-india-kashmir/india-china-clash-over…">here</a>.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p>