The meeting will be the first significant international event in Kashmir since New Delhi stripped the Muslim-majority region of semi-autonomy in 2019.

Sino-Indian relations ‘cannot be normal if peace and tranquillity in the border areas is disturbed’, says New Delhi’s top diplomat at regional conference.

A growing number of women in mainly Muslim Indian Kashmir are becoming Instagram models and influencers and are making money for themselves – and breaking societal taboos – while doing so.

Political stakes in the long disputed region have been higher than ever since 2019 when New Delhi revoked autonomy to the half of Kashmir it administers.

India and Pakistan have strained political ties, especially over Kashmir, which was split between the two countries during Partition in 1947; the latest exchange of taunts took place on the sidelines of an urgent UN Security Council meeting.

Tens of thousands of Nepali Gurkhas serve in the Indian army under an agreement made in 1947. They have historically served for much longer than the 4 years specified under India’s new ‘path of fire’ recruitment policy.

A former Indian diplomat said New Delhi recognised the need to curb Beijing’s ‘ambitions’ after 75 years of relentless competition with Pakistan over Kashmir – and decades of believing China did not represent a military threat.

Rights groups have long claimed they face harassment from Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Hindu nationalist administration for highlighting rights abuses.

‘Conscious music’ draws on elements of Islam and spiritual poetry, and it is often laced with religious metaphors to circumvent measures restricting some free speech in Indian-controlled Kashmir.

It’s believed they were Kashmir Freedom Fighters who claim responsibility for shooting a bank manager this month. At least 16 people – both Hindu and Muslims – have been killed in targeted attacks in Kashmir this year.

Muslim-majority Kashmir has witnessed a spate of targeted killings in recent months, as Indian troops have continued their counter-insurgency operations across the region amid a clampdown on dissent and media freedom, which critics have likened to a militaristic policy.

The box-office hit has been praised by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his right-wing Hindu nationalist followers, but critics say it is loose with facts and fans anti-Muslim sentiment.

Tens of thousands of people and elected officials from local councils across the region assembled in Palli village near Jammu city for the speech, which was held amid tight security.

Most Muslim nations have distanced themselves from Western countries that regard China as an enemy, observer notes.

Prime Minister Imran Khan tells Organisation of Islamic Cooperation ‘we should think about how to mediate, how to bring about ceasefire’ during foreign ministers’ meeting in Islamabad.

Its supporters call it a masterful depiction of a real-life tragedy. Its critics say it’s a crude, inflammatory attempt to incite anti-Muslim hatred and weaponise the ruling party’s Hindu-nationalist agenda.

Rejects New Delhi’s decision to hold an internal inquiry into the incident and calls on the international community to play a role; warned of ‘dire consequences’ if any misinterpretation lead to an escalation.

‘Some men feel they can make advances because if a woman decides to model, she might be available for other things as well.’

The launch was the result of a ‘technical malfunction’ during routine maintenance, India said; Pakistan accused its neighbour of ‘callousness towards regional peace and stability’.

According to local media reports, the target of the attack in Srinagar appeared to have been security personnel in the area.