US keeping a close eye on J&K issue: Official

Following Pakistan expelling the Indian envoy and downgrading its diplomatic ties, an United States Department of State Official, on Wednesday, said that the US is keeping a close eye on the scrapping of the Article 370 ending special status to Jammu and Kashmir.

As per news agency PTI report, a State Department Official said "The US is closely following India's legislation regarding the new territorial status and governance of Jammu and Kashmir. We note the broader implications of these developments, including the potential for increased instability in the region".

The Official further said that "the US calls for calm and restraint by all parties".

"We continue to be concerned by reports of detentions and the continued restrictions on the residents of Jammu and Kashmir," PTI quoted the State Department Official saying.

However, India has maintained that the issue is strictly internal to the country.