Stop MPs’ meet on Kashmir, India tells U.K.

What to know?

• After summoning the Pakistan High Commissioner, India has registered its protest with the British government about an upcoming meet on Kashmir at the British Parliament, the Ministry of External Affairs said.
• The government also warned of “consequences” if Pakistan continued its actions on Kashmir, which it called a direct interference in India’s internal affairs.
• India told United Kingdom government quite strongly that their territory must not be used for anti-India activity conferences or rallies, and India hope they will take it seriously, and take action against this kind of conference.
• The measures taken against the meeting in the House of Commons on February 4 of the “All Party Parliamentary Group on Pakistan” (APPG-Pakistan) — a group that includes Conservative and Labour Party MPs.

• Officials said they hoped that Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi would not be given an official welcome during his visit to London, where he is expected to attend the conference, and that the British government would distance itself from the proceedings. 

‘Private visit’

• The British High Commission said the visit by Mr. Qureshi was a private one.
• There are no plans for meetings with the U.K. government during this visit. The U.K.’s long-standing position is that it is for India and Pakistan to find a lasting political resolution to the situation in Kashmir, taking into account the Kashmiri people’s wishes.
• Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale had summoned Pakistan High Commissioner Sohail Mahmood, and issued a stern demarche on Mr. Qureshi’s telephone call to Hurriyat leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, calling it proof that Pakistan encourages individuals associated with terrorism and anti-India activities.
• In a reciprocal action, the Pakistan Foreign Ministry summoned Indian High Commissioner Ajay Bisaria to issue a counter-protest, calling India’s reaction an indication of domestic politics being allowed to override India’s international obligations.
• India has raised the issue of “anti-India” groups within the U.K. several times in the past few months. In August, the British government turned down an Indian request to cancel a pro-Khalistani rally in London demanding a referendum.
• In November, an APPG on Kashmir had presented a report to the British parliament after a visit to Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir, and also met with the British Foreign Office Minister (South Asia and the Pacific) Mark Field last week, who is expected to visit India shortly.

(India and world)(The hindu)

Pic courtesy:.siasat.com