India: Article 370 is purely our internal matter; China: Kashmir is a bilateral issue between India and Pakistan: Ready for a peaceful settlement of Jammu and Kashmir issue says Pakistan

New Delhi: After the closed-door consultation of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on Kashmir, India again reiterated the fact that the abrogation of Article 370 was purely India's internal matter.

After the consultations ended, Syed Akbaruddin, India's Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the UN Security, addressed a press briefing answering questions on India's stand on the issue. The meeting was called by China at the request of Pakistan. 

Here are the key highlights from the UNSC consultations and India's stand on Kashmir 

India's UN Envoy: "These have no external ramifications. The recent decisions (Article 370, 35A and J&K Reorganisation) taken by the Government of India and the country's legislative bodies were intended to ensure good governance and social-economic development for the people of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh."

"India's national position was and remains that matter related to Article 370 of the Indian Constitution is entirely an internal matter of India."

India maintains its stance that all issues between India and Pakistan or any other country will be resolved bilaterally and peacefully. And Pakistan has failed to honour bilateral pacts.

Syed Akbaruddin: "Some elements are trying to project an alarmist view in Kashmir. The Indian government is working to ensure good governance and development in the region. The revocation of Article 370 is purely an internal matter of India."

China has also termed Kashmir as a bilateral issue between India and Pakistan.

First Deputy Permanent Representative of Russia to the UN Dmitry Polyanskiy: "We are friends and good partners with both India and Pakistan. We have no hidden agendas. So we will open-heartedly continue to engage with Islamabad and New Delhi in order to help both of them come to terms and have good neighbourly relations."

Pakistan envoy to UN, Maleeha Lodhi: "Pakistan stands ready for a peaceful settlement of Jammu and Kashmir and the meeting nullifies Indian claim that it's an internal matter."