The government of Maldives, on Wednesday, released an official statement expressing its belief that India's decision concerning Article 370 of the Indian Constitution was an internal matter.
"We believe that it is the right of every sovereign nation to amend their laws as required".
On Monday, the Indian government abolished Article 370 which accorded a certain amount of autonomy to the disputed state of Kashmir.
Despite matters relating to foreign affairs, defence and communications remaining under the authority of the central government, the article allowed Kashmir to make its own laws relating to permanent residency, ownership of property and fundamental rights. It could also bar Indians from outside the state from purchasing property or settling there.
Tens of thousands of extra Indian troops were deployed into the territory before the announcement and a security lockdown, including the cutting of all telecommunications, was imposed on Sunday.
Pakistan, which has a competing claim to the Muslim-majority state, responded furiously to India stripping Kashmir of the special autonomy it has held for seven decades, denouncing the move as 'illegal'.
"As the party to this international dispute, Pakistan will exercise all possible options to counter the illegal steps," it said in a statement.
Pakistan downgraded its diplomatic ties with India on Wednesday, declaring that it would expel the Indian envoy and halt trade.
While Kashmir has been divided between Indian and Pakistan since their independence in 1947, the two nations have fought two wars over the area.
Experts warned that unrest against India's controversial move would break out in Kashmir once the restrictions are lifted.
Armed Kashmiri rebels have fought for the disputed region's independence or to join the neighbouring state of Pakistan.
Sign In