Supreme Court Upholds Abrogation Of Article 370: How Did China And Pakistan React?

China urged dialogue with India for the Kashmir issue, emphasizing a peaceful resolution as Spokesperson Mao Ning reaffirmed China's position. Meanwhile, Pakistan dismissed India's Supreme Court verdict on Article 370, calling it legally void.

Pakistan Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani criticized India's actions and pledged continued support for Kashmir's right to self-determination, planning a meeting for future actions.

How did China react?

China responded to India's Supreme Court judgment on Article 370, upholding the central government's decision on Jammu and Kashmir, emphasizing the need for dialogue and consultation between India and Pakistan.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning, addressing a question from a Pakistani journalist, stated, "On the Kashmir issue, China's position is consistent and clear-cut." Mao emphasized, "The Kashmir issue, left from the past, needs to be resolved peacefully and appropriately in accordance with the UN Charter, Security Council resolutions, and relevant bilateral agreements."

"The parties concerned need to settle the dispute through dialogue and consultation so as to maintain regional peace and stability," she added.

How did Pakistan react?

Pakistan, a longstanding ally of China, reacted strongly to India's Supreme Court verdict upholding the abrogation of Article 370.

Pakistan's caretaker Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani stated that the judgment had "no legal value" under international law. He asserted, "Kashmiris have an inalienable right to self-determination in accordance with the relevant UN Security Council resolutions." Jilani, addressing a press conference in Islamabad, rejected the Indian Supreme Court's endorsement of the decision, calling it a "travesty of justice."

"Pakistan categorically rejects the judgment announced by the Supreme Court of India on the status of" Jammu and Kashmir, he declared. Jilani emphasized that Jammu and Kashmir is an internationally-recognized dispute, and its final disposition should align with UN Security Council Resolutions and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people.

He criticized India's "unilateral and illegal measures" since August 5, 2019, accusing India of attempting to change the demographic structure and political landscape of Kashmir. Despite the strained relations between India and Pakistan over the Kashmir issue, Jilani stated that Pakistan would continue to extend its full political, diplomatic, and moral support to the people of Kashmir for the realization of their right to self-determination.

"We will soon call a meeting of all stakeholders and determine our future course of action," Jilani announced. Regarding the Line of Control (LoC), he expressed Pakistan's desire to maintain peace after the Supreme Court decision.

Former Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif criticized the verdict, terming it a "biased decision" that violated international laws. Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, chairman of the Pakistan Peoples Party, stated that India does not follow international laws and UN resolutions, asserting that Indian parliament and courts cannot rewrite international agreements.

Pakistan's jailed former prime minister Imran Khan has said that India's Supreme Court verdict upholding the abrogation of Article 370 would "further complicate" the Kashmir issue. Khan, who has been incarcerated in the Adiala jail of Rawalpindi, in a message said that the Indian top court's ruling was a sheer violation of the UNSC resolutions, his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party said in a post on X. Khan “made it clear that the controversial and unlawful decision of the Indian top court would further complicate the Kashmir issue instead of helping to solve the decades-long conflict,” it added. He emphasised that the then PTI government led by him had strongly reacted when India tried to alter the special status of Kashmir in 2019, referring to the downgrading of bilateral diplomatic ties.

 India's Supreme Court on Monday unanimously upheld the central government's decision to abrogate provisions of Article 370 bestowing special status to the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir. The apex court also directed restoration of statehood at the earliest as well as holding elections to the assembly by September 30 next year.