New Delhi, August 7: A day after China criticised India for giving union territory status to Ladakh, it granted visas to Indian pilgrims for Kailash Mansarovar Yatra on Wednesday. Earlier in the day, China delayed granting visas to the two batches of pilgrims. However, Beijing finally provided all necessary documents for the yatris to begin their pilgrimage from Delhi. China Protests Change in Ladakh's Status Quo Day After Narendra Modi Government Diluted Article 370 in Jammu And Kashmir.

On Tuesday, China objected to India’s move declaring Ladakh as a Union Territory. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said, “In recent days, the Indian side has unilaterally modified its domestic laws in such a way as to continue to undermine China's territorial sovereignty. This practice is unacceptable.”

India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) also responded to China’s statement against Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Bill 2019. The MEA termed it as an internal matter of India. MEA Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said that Indian never interfered in the internal matter of other countries it expects same from them.

India on Monday revoked special status from Jammu and Kashmir. The state has also been divided into two union territories – Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. Both the Houses of Parliament also cleared the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Bill, 2019.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 07, 2019 10:05 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).