August 07, 2019, 07:12 PM 
On August 5, India revoked the special status of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K), its only Muslim-majority state, in a bid to integrate the state more with the rest of the country.
The move involved abolishing Article 370 of the Indian Constitution, which guaranteed special rights for J&K, such as having its own constitution and forming most of its own laws.
The state was also split in two, by carving out the Buddhist-majority region of Ladakh into a new territory.
India Today explained that this meant both J&K and Ladakh are now Union Territories, which places them under the direct control of the central Indian government.
China slams move as territorial violation, India replies that it's an "internal matter"
In response, China slammed the move as a violation of its territorial sovereignty on August 6, Reuters reported.
In particular, China took issue with India's decision to make Ladakh a territory directly administered by New Delhi.
A spokeswoman for China's foreign ministry, Hua Chunying, said in Al Jazeera:
"China is always opposed to India's inclusion of the Chinese territory in the western sector of the China-India boundary into its administrative jurisdiction.
Recently India has continued to undermine China's territorial sovereignty by unilaterally changing its domestic law. Such practice is unacceptable and will not come into force."
This drew India's reply that its decision on Ladakh was an internal matter.
A spokesperson for India's foreign ministry, Raveesh Kumar, stated:
"India does not comment on the internal affairs of other countries and similarly expects other countries to do likewise."
Why are India and China clashing over Kashmir?
According to South China Morning Post (SCMP), this has to do with the Ladakh territory involving an area disputed by China and India -- the Aksai Chin region.
The Aksai Chin region is administered as part of Xinjiang.
But India has claimed that China is illegally occupying 38,000 sq km of its territory in J&K, according to Al Jazeera.
The Aksai Chin region is also part of a larger border dispute between India and China, which sees the latter claiming nearly the entire northeastern Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh as part of Tibet.
Decision also opposed by Pakistan
India's decision on J&K has also been vehemently opposed by Pakistan, which controls a sliver of the state in the west, and most of the northern region.
On August 6, Pakistan's Prime Minister Imran Khan declared that his country will raise the issue at the United Nations Security Council, Al Jazeera highlighted.
Said Khan:
"We are thinking of how we can go to the (International Court of Justice) through the UN Security Council...we will raise this issue at every forum."
Separately, Pakistan's army chief, General Qamar Javed Bajwa, declared that the Pakistani army also stood behind Kashmiris.
"Pakistan Army firmly stands by the Kashmiris in their just struggle to the very end. We are prepared and shall go to any extent to fulfil our obligations in this regard."
Modi celebrates "integration" of Kashmir with rest of India
As for India, the move was hailed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, as an opportunity for better economic development.
Together we are, together we shall rise and together we will fulfil the dreams of 130 crore Indians!
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 6, 2019
A momentous occasion in our Parliamentary democracy, where landmark bills pertaining to Jammu and Kashmir have been passed with overwhelming support!
The Bills pertaining to Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh will ensure integration and empowerment. These steps will bring the youth into the mainstream and give them innumerable opportunities to showcase their skills and talents. Local infrastructure will significantly improve.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 6, 2019
However, Reuters reported that criticism has emerged over the arrest of local politicians, such as Kashmir's former Chief Ministers Mehbooba Mufti and Omar Abdullah.
A security crackdown was also launched, with internet and mobile networks cut off, additional troops sent in, and tourists and Hindu pilgrims ordered to leave the region, likely in anticipation of protests, both the BBC and Reuters reported.
The UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, has since urged both India and Pakistan to exercise restraint.
Top image by DESHAKALYAN CHOWDHURY/AFP/Getty Images
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