Asked by: Andrew Gwynne (Labour - Denton and Reddish)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether his department made an assessment of the implications for his policies of participation in the G20 Tourism Working Group Meeting in Indian-administered Kashmir.
Answered by Anne-Marie Trevelyan - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The G20 Third Tourism Working Group Meeting in Srinagar was attended by a delegation of UK officials based in India. This decision was in line with the high priority the UK places on the G20 as a forum to address pressing global challenges. Prior to attending, all relevant factors were taken into account.
The UK Government's position is clear that any allegation of human rights abuses should be investigated thoroughly, promptly, and transparently. The UK's participation in this meeting does not change our longstanding position, which is that it is for India and Pakistan to find a lasting political resolution to the situation in Kashmir, considering the wishes of the Kashmiri people.
Mentions:
1: Rachel Hopkins (LAB - Luton South) recent assessment he has made of the implications for his policies of the human rights situation in Kashmir - Speech Link
2: Rachel Hopkins (LAB - Luton South) Many of my Luton South constituents have expressed concern at the recent appeal to change Jammu Kashmir - Speech Link
3: Bob Blackman (CON - Harrow East) Friend agree that this means equal rights are restored to people in Jammu and Kashmir and, particularly - Speech Link
Written Evidence Jan. 19 2024
Inquiry: Children, young people and the built environmentFound: improvements at the heart of ‘place making’. 14 An example of where this has worked well is the new Kashmir
Formal Minutes Feb. 07 2024
Committee: Justice Committee (Department: Ministry of Justice)Found: transport for me and a family member, total value £1,800 Destination of visit: Islamabad, Pakistan and Kashmir
Jun. 22 2023
Source Page: IAGCI invites tenders to evaluate Home Office country information products on PakistanFound: Pakistani Kashmir is administered as 2 territories: Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) , and Gilgit -Baltistan
Asked by: Paul Bristow (Conservative - Peterborough)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether his Department has made representations to the Government of India on the potential impact of security arrangements associated with the G20 tourism meeting in May 2023 on people in Kashmir.
Answered by Andrew Mitchell - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) (Minister for Development)
The G20 Third Tourism Working Group Meeting in Srinagar was attended by a delegation of UK officials based in India. This decision was in line with the high priority the UK places on the G20 as a forum to address pressing global challenges. Prior to attending, safety and security considerations were among factors that were taken into account.
The UK Government's position is clear that any allegation of human rights abuse is deeply concerning and should be investigated thoroughly, promptly, and transparently. Our long-standing position is that it is for India and Pakistan to find a lasting political resolution to the situation in Kashmir, considering the wishes of the Kashmiri people.
Asked by: Paul Bristow (Conservative - Peterborough)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if officials in his Department will make representations to their Indian counterparts on human rights and self determination in Kashmir at the tourism meeting of the G20 in Srinagar.
Answered by Andrew Mitchell - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) (Minister for Development)
The G20 Third Tourism Working Group Meeting in Srinagar was attended by a delegation of UK officials based in India. This decision was in line with the high priority the UK places on the G20 as a forum to address pressing global challenges. Prior to attending, safety and security considerations were among factors that were taken into account.
The UK Government's position is clear that any allegation of human rights abuse is deeply concerning and should be investigated thoroughly, promptly, and transparently. Our long-standing position is that it is for India and Pakistan to find a lasting political resolution to the situation in Kashmir, considering the wishes of the Kashmiri people.
Asked by: Marquess of Lothian (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the government of India concerning the rearming of the Village Defence Group in Jammu and Kashmir, particularly in light of the previous revocation of the region’s semi-autonomous status.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
We have not made representations to the Government of India regarding Village Defence Groups in Jammu and Kashmir. The UK Government's position on Kashmir is that it is for India and Pakistan to find a lasting political resolution on Kashmir, considering the wishes of the Kashmiri people.
Mentions:
1: Lord Hussain (LDEM - Life peer) My Lords, in Indian-administered Kashmir, tens of thousands of men and women are being held in custody - Speech Link
May. 22 2023
Source Page: Conflict, Stability and Security Fund: South Asia and Afghanistan annual review summaries 2020 to 2021Found: vehicle-borne suicide bomber at Lethapora in the Pulwama district of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir