Home Minister Amit Shah announced the abrogation of Article 370 on Monday. Post this, Jammu & Kashmir ceases to be a ‘state’ but will now be a union territory with a legislature. Ladakh becomes a full-fledged union territory too, but without a legislature.
Following this development, the United States on Monday said it was ‘closely following’ the events in Jammu and Kashmir and has taken note of the fact that the Indian government has described the actions as ‘strictly an internal matter’. They also urged all parties to maintain peace and stability along the Line of Control.
US state department spokesperson Morgan Ortagus said in a statement, “We are closely following the events in the state of Jammu and Kashmir. We take note of India’s announcement revising the constitutional status of Jammu and Kashmir and India’s plan to split the state into two union territories.”
She also said, “We note that the Indian government has described these actions as strictly an internal matter.”
However, she also mentioned that the US was “concerned about reports of detentions and urge respect for individual rights and discussion with those in affected communities.”
“We call on all parties to maintain peace and stability along the Line of Control,” she further added.