Type: Parliament Questions and Answers

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a) whether it is a fact that Kashmir was debated in British Parliament recently;

(b) if so, the details thereof; and

(c) the diplomatic action that was taken by Government over this interference of British Parliament in the internal Affairs of India?

ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS (SHRI E. AHAMED)

(a) & (b) Yes. On 15 September 2011 the UK House of Commons held a general debate on human rights in the Indian sub-continent. The debate was attended by about 30 Members of Parliament of UK. The debate also covered the situation in Kashmir and Sri Lanka. The proponent of the debate Mr. Steve Baker while acknowledging India’s democratic credentials emphasised that the debate was neither to condemn India nor to give any false hopes to the Kashmiris and expressed the hope that the British Government would take necessary steps to resolve the dispute on Kashmir. Some Members of Parliament were critical of India while other MPs spoke of India as a beacon of democracy surrounded by a number of failed states which were of great concern. They also talked of the negative impact of a debate of this nature on relations between India and the UK.

In his response to the debate, the Government Minister, Mr. Alistair Burt referred to India being the world’s largest democracy in the region – vibrant, pluralistic, secular and multicultural – which was also challenged by domestic insurgency, communal violence and caste discrimination. He reiterated the position of successive British Governments on Kashmir. He welcomed the current engagement between India and Pakistan adding that mediation by the UK, as wanted by some, would hinder progress. The Minister also referred to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s statement that human rights abuses by security forces in Kashmir will not be tolerated and welcomed the appointment of the three interlocutors on Kashmir.

(c) India’s concerns on the subject of the debate and its contents were conveyed to the Government of the UK through strong demarches both in New Delhi and in London.
http://www.mea.gov.in/mystart.php?id=220118721.

Pakistan
South Asia