Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his speech mentioned last month’s change to Article 370 of India's constitution, which revoked the special status given to the state of Jammu and Kashmir.
In addition, the Indian government downgraded the state’s federal status as well.
The special status gave the Muslim-majority state unique levels of autonomy. In place since 1949, it gives Jammu and Kashmir the power to have its own constitution, flag and autonomy over all matters, save for certain policy areas such as a foreign affairs and defense.
Modi stated that the action taken was in the best interest for the residents.
“The people of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh have been deprived of equal rights. The forces fanning terrorism and separatism were exploiting this situation,” he said.
The Indian government deployed tens of thousands of troops in the state, most of them concentrated in Indian-controlled Kashmir – one of the most militarized regions in the world.
Hours before the announcement, all communications in and out of the state were cut off – a condition that continues for the 8th week in Indian-controlled Kashmir. The Indian government has repeatedly justified the communications blackout as a security measure and has said that it will be lifted gradually.
The steps taken on August 5 have been met with criticism from human rights activists as thousands of Kashmiris have been unable to communicate with their families for weeks.
Lauding the parliamentarians who helped pass the law by a two-thirds majority within two days, Modi asked the crowd to give them and their work a standing ovation.
“The Indian constitution which gave rights to other Indians will now give the same rights to the people of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh,” said Modi.
57 min ago
Modi: "We are seeing great history being made right now and also a great chemistry"
From CNN's Swati Gupta
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed India's historic presidential election this year, his fight against terrorism and the country's developments in his speech.
“We are seeing great history being made right now and also a great chemistry. The name of the program is 'Howdy, Modi!' But Modi is nothing by himself. I am a common man working on the orders of 1.3 billion people," Modi said.
The election was most expensive, with political parties, candidates and regulatory bodies spending up to $8.6 billion, according to a new study.
By comparison, the US spent an estimated $6.5 billion in the 2016 presidential and congressional contests, according to Open Secrets, an American non-profit organization.
The outcome cemented Modi's position as the most powerful political figure in recent Indian history, with his Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its allies securing a two thirds majority in parliament's lower house.
Modi acknowledged the tens of millions of public toilets built across the country, the roads constructed in rural India and improvements on mail delivery speed as signs of its progress.
“We are not competing with anyone but competing with ourselves. We are challenging ourselves. We are changing ourselves," Modi said. “For America, and for Americans, there is opportunity to progress in India.”
When discussing India's fight against terrorism, Modi noted that "President Trump is standing with all his strength against terrorism.”
Modi closed out his speech with a look to the future and an invitation for Trump.
"In the coming days, we are going to talk and I am certain that some positive developments will come out of it. President Trump calls me the top negotiator but he himself is great at the ‘art of the deal’ and I am learning a lot from him," Modi said. “Mr President, I would like that you come with your family to India and you give us the opportunity to welcome you. Our friendship will give new heights to our shared dreams and vibrant future.”
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