India PM vows to ‘restore’ Kashmir’s ‘past glory’

Prime minister Narendra Modi has said his decision to strip Indian-administered Kashmir of its special status would restore the region to its past glory.

He said article 370, the constitutional provision that granted it special status, had only encouraged corruption.

Mr Modi did not refer to the lockdown and communications blackout imposed in Kashmir since the decision last week.

He made the remarks during his independence day speech in the capital Delhi on Thursday.

India celebrates independence day one day after Pakistan, which was partitioned from India in 1947.

During his speech on Wednesday, Pakistan prime minister Imran Khan criticised India for its Kashmir move.