India urges Pakistan to reconsider decision to downgrade ties

Reuters
Indian security personnel stand guard along a deserted street during restrictions in Jammu

NEW DELHI (Reuters) - India on Thursday urged Pakistan to review its decision to downgrade diplomatic ties over the withdrawal of special status to Kashmir, the foreign ministry said in a statement.

Pakistan said it would expel India's ambassador in Islamabad and that its envoy who was to start his assignment soon will not move to Delhi after India revoked the special privileges to Kashmir.

"The Government of India regrets the steps announced by Pakistan yesterday and would urge that country to review them so that normal channels for diplomatic communications are preserved," the Indian foreign ministry said.

(Reporting by Nidhi Verma; Writing by Sanjeev Miglani; Editing by Michael Perry)