India slams UK lawmakers for using abusive language

Members of the British All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Kashmir have submitted a motion on “Human Rights in Kashmir” for debate in the House of Representatives, eliciting a strong reaction from India. Forums on subjects related to the essential parts of the country need to be justified with genuine verifiable facts. The Indian government has expressed disappointment with some of the words used by parliamentarians participating in the backbench debate, especially Labor Party lawmaker Naz Shah from Pakistan. Over 20 cross-party MPs participated on both sides of the debate, with Labour MP Barry Gardiner highlighting the terrorist camps harboured by Pakistan in the region and drawing parallels with neighbouring Afghanistan.

Amanda Milling, Asian Minister of the Foreign, Commonwealth Development (FCDO), reiterated the UK government’s unchanging stance on Kashmir as a bilateral issue in response to Thursday’s discussions.“The government takes the situation in Kashmir very seriously, but India and Pakistan will find a lasting political solution, taking into account the wishes of the people of Kashmir. The UK defines the solution. We do not act as a mediator or act as a mediator, “says Milling. The debate, which was scheduled to be held in March 2020 but had to be postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown, was opened by Opposition Labour Party MP Debbie Abrahams who recounted her visit to Pakistan-occupied Kashmir in February 2020.

A minister from the Indian High Commission in London condemned the attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and highlighted Kashmir's status as an integral part of India.“It is with sadness that the High Commission of India notes that an august institution of a fellow democracy has been misused today to level abuse against the elected leader of the largest practising democracy in the world,” the minister said, referring to Shah's remarks on the 2002 Gujarat riots.