On October 29, after almost three months since the Article 370 revocation, Srinagar, the largest city in the Indian union territory of Jammu and Kashmir, welcomed a delegation of Members of the European Parliament (MEPs). This group, composed of 27 MEPs from Italy, Britain, France, Germany, the Czech Republic, and Poland, was invited by the non-profit organizations Women’s Economic and Social Think Tank (WESTT) and the International Institute for Non-Aligned Studies (IINS). The visit transpired just two days before the state of Jammu and Kashmir was officially divided into two Union territories: Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh on October 31st, 2019.
The Significance of the Visit
According to the government, one of the primary intentions behind the MEPs’ visit to Srinagar was to acquaint them with the region’s development priorities. This significant policy change of allowing MEPs to visit J&K was introduced in response to the criticism faced by the government in the EU and US concerning the Article 370 action.
The Indian government portrayed the EU lawmakers’ visit as an attempt to reveal the existing situation in Kashmir to the world, which Delhi declares as normal. Furthermore, the visit provided the MEPs with insights on the cultural and religious diversity of the region of Jammu, Kashmir, and Ladakh. They were also given a comprehensive view of the development and governance priorities of the region.
Table 1. Key Facts
| Date of Visit | Number of Delegates | Country Representation | Inviting Organizations |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 29, 2019 | 27 | Italy, Britain, France, Germany, Czech Republic, Poland | WESTT, IINS |
The Concerns Raised
Despite its well-intentioned nature, the visit by the MEPs has sparked a degree of controversy and concern. It has been pointed out that while international representatives have access to J&K, the same is not true for national political leaders, journalists, and international diplomats.
Moreover, it draws attention that a significant number of the MEPs involved belong to far-right, anti-immigration parties within the EU. The EU Embassy in Delhi clarified that these MEPs were visiting India in their “personal capacity” and were not part of an official delegation. This lack of involvement from the European Parliament and the European Union hierarchy raises some diplomatic uncertainties.
