Recently, the Indian government expressed disapproval over a discussion held regarding Kashmir in the Houses of Parliament complex in London. This event unfolded months after the visit of a delegation of 27 Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) from various nations including Italy, Britain, France, Germany, Czech Republic, and Poland to Srinagar in October 2020. Their visit occurred nearly three months after the revocation of Article 370 in India.
A Debate on the Political Situation in Kashmir
The debate stirred up by some UK Members of Parliament was titled “Political situation in Kashmir”. It raised eyebrows regarding supposed human rights violations and appealed to the UK government to seek access to the region for firsthand reports from Jammu and Kashmir as well as Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). The intention behind this move was to present these reports to the UK Parliament in the future.
The Cause of India’s Concern
The primary issue India found with this debate was the terminology it employed. The reference to ‘Kashmir’ in the debate’s title was misleading. There was no clear distinction made between the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, which is an integral part of India, and Pakistan Occupied Kashmir, a territory that was illegally and forcibly occupied by Pakistan in October 1947. The debate also disregarded the current ground reality of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. It instead chose to mirror the false assertions propagated by Pakistan, like groundless allegations of ‘genocide’, ‘rampant violence’ and ‘torture’.
India’s Stand on the Issue
In response to this debate, the Indian High Commission in London highlighted developments within the region. Since the past year, a smart Wi-Fi project has ensured high-speed internet access in the region. Furthermore, the District Development Council (DDC) elections were concluded in December 2020 successfully despite terror threats, challenging weather conditions and the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. India also reiterated its readiness to engage with Pakistan on all outstanding issues, including those regarding Jammu and Kashmir, given an atmosphere devoid of terror, aggression and violence in accordance with the Shimla Agreement (1972) and the Lahore Declaration (1999).
The UK Government’s Stand on the Matter
The UK government admitted that there were human rights concerns on both sides of the Line of Control (LoC), but it declared that it would not intervene in this bilateral matter between India and Pakistan. The UK government maintained its policy on Kashmir – insisting it has not changed. It continues to advocate for both India and Pakistan to find a lasting political resolution considering the aspirations of the Kashmiri people as per the guidelines of the Simla Agreement (1972).
