India Prime Minister Narendra Modi has inaugurated one of the most ambitious and strategic railway projects the nation has ever built.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi made his first visit to Kashmir on Friday since a conflict with arch-rival Pakistan, opening a strategic railway line to the contested region he called "the crown jewel of India".

India is committed to efforts to develop its restive territory of Jammu and Kashmir, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Friday, accusing neighbours Pakistan of seeking to destroy livelihoods there with April's deadly attack on tourists.