India urges Pakistan to review downgrading of diplomatic relations.

ISLAMABAD: India on Thursday urged Pakistan to review its decision of downgrading the diplomatic relations with the neighbouring country.

"The recent developments pertaining to Article 370 are entirely the internal affair of India," the Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement. "The Government of India regrets the steps announced by Pakistan and would urge that country to review them so that normal channels for diplomatic communications are preserved," it said. "Recent decisions by the Government and Parliament of India are driven by a commitment to extend to Jammu and Kashmir opportunities for development that were earlier denied by a temporary provision in the Constitution. Its impact would also result in the removal of gender and socio-economic discrimination. It is also expected to result in an upswing of economic activity and improvement in the livelihood prospects of all people of Jammu and Kashmir," the statement further stated.

Pakistan rejected India's...