British lawmakers on Thursday held a debate on Kashmir in the Parliament, warning against ‘escalation’ of violence in the region. The motion before the House of Commons urged the government to encourage India and Pakistan to commence peace negotiations to establish a long-term solution to the dispute.
"It is not Britain's role to intervene in the internal politics of any sovereign nation. But we stand ready to help facilitate and alleviate the suffering of the innocent people of Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir," Conservative party MP Bob Blackman, who has long campaigned for the rights of Kashmiri Pandits forced to flee the region, said.
"Today marks the terrible day back in 1990 when Kashmiri Hindus were forced from their homes. I have been speaking on this issue for 27 years. The whole of Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India and both India and Pakistan must abide by the UN resolution," Blackman, who was among the MPs speaking in the debate, added.
The debate has been organised by the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Kashmir and is being conducted by the Commons' Backbench Business Committee following an application from Conservative Party MP David Nuttall. It was led by Nuttall along with MPs Nusrat Ghani, Robert Flello and Fiona Mactaggart.
The Backbench Committee meets weekly on Tuesdays to consider requests for debates from any backbench MP on any subject.
The motion for the debate read: "This House notes the escalation in violence and breaches of international human rights on the Indian side of the Line of Control in Kashmir; calls on the Government to raise the matter at the United Nations."
"And further calls on the Government to encourage Pakistan and India to commence peace negotiations to establish a long-term solution on the future governance of Kashmir based on the right of the Kashmiri people to determine their own future in accordance with the provisions of UN Security Council resolutions," it says.
The debate comes a day after a day of mourning was observed by the Kashmiri Pandits Cultural Society UK in a committee room of the House of Commons.
The group called for "justice" for the nearly 700,000 Kashmiri Pandits forced to flee their homes in the Kashmir Valley 1989 and 1990.
India strongly rejects ‘third party role’
Reacting strongly to reports that the British Parliament may debate on the issue of Jammu and Kashmir, New Delhi said that there is ‘no room for a third party role in the matter’.
Noting that the government was aware of the development, External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Vikas Swarup said, "Our position on the issue of Jammu and Kashmir is very clear that all issues between India and Pakistan are to be resolved bilaterally and peacefully in accordance with Simla Agreement and Lahore Declaration.”
"There is no room for third party," he added.
