News Desk |
Russian envoy to the United Nations (UN) Dmitry Polyanskiy has stated that Russia does not object to holding of United Nations Security Council (UNSC) meeting requested by Pakistan to discuss India’s move of revoking the special status of occupied Kashmir.
“Moscow doesn’t object to holding such a meeting, but the matter should be discussed behind closed doors,” Polyanskiy said while speaking to reporters. The statement came after Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov spoke to Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi.
The two foreign ministers discussed the situation in the Himalayan region amid worsening relations between Pakistan and India after New Delhi decided to unilaterally change the legal status of Kashmir, according to the statement.
UN Security Council to Discuss Kashmir Issue After Almost 50 years
Meanwhile, the UNSC has granted Pakistan’s request to discuss India’s decision of scrapping the special status of occupied Kashmir on August 16 (Friday).
The threat to the regional security due to unilateral move by India to change the demography of the IOK and simultaneously heating up of situation at LoC and Working Boundary.
In a statement, the Russian foreign ministry emphasized the need to de-escalate the Pakistan-India tensions on the disputed valley, stating that there is no alternative to political and diplomatic means to resolve the disputes.
“The situation in South Asia was discussed amid the worsening relations between Pakistan and India after New Delhi changed the legal status of the state of Jammu and Kashmir. The Russian side emphasized the need for de-escalation of tensions, and that there is no alternative to resolve differences between Pakistan and India except bilaterally through political and diplomatic means. Representatives of Russia to the UN adhere to this consistent position,” Russia said in a statement.
UK Expresses Concern over Human Right Violations in Kashmir
Apart from Russia’s statement, United Kingdom has expressed serious concern over human rights violations and the prevailing situation in Indian occupied Kashmir.
United Kingdom’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office Minister Dr Andrew Murrison expressed concerns during a meeting with Pakistan’s High Commissioner to UK Mohammad Nafees Zakaria in London.
Read more: Revocation of Article 370: Violation of UNSC, Indian Constitution & Victory for RSS Ideology?
The Pakistani High Commissioner briefed the minister on the gross human rights violations in Indian occupied Kashmir, the threat to the regional security due to unilateral move by India to change the demography of the IOK and simultaneously heating up of situation at LoC and Working Boundary.
He highlighted the violations of UN Security Council Resolutions on Jammu and Kashmir committed by India. In the context of atrocities perpetrated by the Indian occupation forces on innocent Kashmiris, the high commissioner also referred to various international human rights organizations reports.