UN: Indian envoy brands Article 370 as 'internal matter' as UNSC talks Kashmir

M/S Pakistani Representative to UN Maleeha Lodhi approaching lectern, New York City
SOT, Maleeha Lodhi, Pakistani Representative to UN: "We are grateful to China for also joining us and calling this meeting. Let me start by saying - the voice of the Kashmiri people, the voice of people of occupied Kashmir has been heard today in the highest diplomatic forum of the world."
M/S Press *CUTAWAY*
SOT, Maleeha Lodhi, Pakistani Representative to UN: "The fact that the meeting took place is testimony to the fact that this is an internationally recognised dispute. There was an effort to stop this meeting from convening. And we are grateful to all 15 members of the UN Security Council for agreeing to having this meeting. This meeting has reaffirmed the validity of UN Security Council's resolutions on the state, the occupied state of Jammu and Kashmir. As far as my country is concerned, we stand ready for a peaceful settlement of the dispute of Jammu and Kashmir. I think today this meeting nullifies India's claim that Jammu and Kashmir is an internal matter for India. Today, the whole world is discussing the occupied state and the situation there."
M/S Press
M/S Lodhi leaving
M/S Indian Permanent Representative to UN Syed Akbaruddin approaching lectern
SOT, Syed Akbaruddin, Indian Permanent Representative to UN: "If national statements try to masquerade as the will of the international community, I talked, I will come across to you too and explain our national position. And what is that? Our national position was and remains that matters related to Article 370 of the Indian Constitution are entirely an internal matter of India. These have no external ramifications. The recent decisions taken by the government of India and our legislative bodies are intended to ensure that good governance is promoted, social-economic development is enhanced for our people in Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh."
M/S Press *CUTAWAY*
SOT, Syed Akbaruddin, Indian Permanent Representative to UN: "You are aware this morning that the chief secretary of the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir announced a whole set of measures that the government is undertaking to move towards normalcy. We are gratified that the Security Council in its close consultations appreciated these efforts, acknowledged them and indicated that this is the direction in which they would like the international community to move. We are committed to gradually removing all restrictions. You are aware of the timetable for that. Let me also tell you - since the changes internal to India have not made any difference to our external orientation, India remains committed to ensure that the situation there remains calm and peaceful. We are committed to all the agreements that we have signed on this issue."
M/S Press *CUTAWAY*
SOT, Journalist: "When will you begin a dialogue with Pakistan?"
Syed Akbaruddin, Indian Permanent Representative to UN: "So let me begin by coming across to you and shaking your hands. All three of you."
SOT, Syed Akbaruddin, Indian Permanent Representative to UN: "And in our case, we are committed to the Shimla agreement. It's now for Pakistan to make that commitment too. Stop terror to start talks."
M/S Press
M/S Akbaruddin leaving
SCRIPT
Indian Permanent Representative to the UN Syed Akbaruddin defended the revocation of Jammu and Kashmir's special status enjoyed under Article 370, noting that it was "an internal matter of India." He spoke to the press following a UN Security Council's (UNSC) closed-door meeting on the Kashmir issue at the UN headquarters in New York City on Friday.
Akbaruddin said, "Our national position was and remains that matters related to Article 370 of the Indian Constitution are entirely an internal matter of India. These have no external ramifications."
The Indian envoy stressed that "the recent decisions taken by the government of India and our legislative bodies are intended to ensure that good governance is promoted, social-economic development is enhanced for our people in Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh."
Akbaruddin also called on Pakistan to "stop terror to start talks."
Speaking to the press, Pakistani Representative to the UN Maleeha Lodhi noted that "the voice of people of occupied Kashmir has been heard today in the highest diplomatic forum of the world," before adding that the meeting "nullifies India's claim that Jammu and Kashmir is an internal matter for India."
The meeting comes at a time of growing tensions between India and Pakistan, after the Indian government decided on August 5 to strip the region of its autonomous status under Article 370 of the constitution. The move provoked strong reactions in Pakistan, leading Islamabad's authorities to announce they would cut bilateral trade with India and expel the Indian ambassador.
Mandatory credit: UN TV