India refuses to reply to Chinese spokesperson on Kashmir issue

Kumar noted as India refrains itself from commenting on the internal issues of other countries, it expects the likewise.

In response to a query on comments made by the Chinese Spokesperson on the issue of J&K, Kumar said: "The Jammu and Kashmir Reorganization Bill 2019, introduced by the Government in Parliament on 5 August, which proposes the formation of a new "Union Territory of Ladakh” is an internal matter concerning the territory of India."

"India does not comment on the internal affairs of other countries and similarly expects other countries to do likewise," he clarified.

On India-China border issues, Kumar said: "So far as the India-China Boundary Question is concerned, the two sides have agreed to a fair, reasonable and mutually acceptable settlement of the boundary question on the basis of the Political Parameters and Guiding Principles for the Settlement of India-China Boundary Question."

"Pending such a settlement, both sides have agreed to maintain peace and tranquility in the border areas on the basis of the relevant agreements," he added.

Both houses of the Parliament passed  the Jammu & Kashmir Reorganisation Bill, 2019 which proposes to bifurcate the terror-hit northern state into two Union Territories - J&K, a Union Territory with Legislative Assembly, and Ladakh, a UT without Legislative Assembly.

Also the Modi government scrapped Article 35 A and Article 370 which were used to give Jammu and Kashmir a special status.

Article 35A of the Indian Constitution allows the Jammu and Kashmir state's legislature to define “permanent residents” of the state and also provides special rights and privileges to those permanent residents.

Article 370 allows Jammu and Kashmir to have its own constitution, flag and right to handle its own laws except on matters that impact national security.

The Jammu & Kashmir Reorganisation Bill, 2019 will soon become a law with the clearance of both the Houses of the Parliament.