Asked by: Gill Furniss (Labour - Sheffield, Brightside and Hillsborough)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of the implications for his policies of the political situation in Kashmir.
Answered by Anne-Marie Trevelyan - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The UK’s long-standing position is that it is for India and Pakistan to find a lasting political resolution on Kashmir, taking into account the wishes of Kashmiri people. It is not for the UK to prescribe a solution or act as a mediator. We continue to monitor the situation and encourage both countries to engage in dialogue and find lasting, diplomatic solutions to maintain regional stability.
Asked by: Afzal Khan (Labour - Manchester, Gorton)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the impact of conflict in Kashmir on people in that region.
Answered by Leo Docherty - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for the Armed Forces)
India and Pakistan are long-standing, important friends of UK and we encourage both to engage in dialogue and find lasting, diplomatic solutions to maintain regional stability. We recognise that there are human rights concerns in both India-administered Kashmir and Pakistan-administered Kashmir. The UK Government encourages all states to ensure their domestic laws are in line with international standards. It is for India and Pakistan to find a lasting political resolution on Kashmir, taking into account the wishes of Kashmiri people. We continue to encourage both to engage in dialogue and find lasting, diplomatic solutions to maintain regional stability.
Asked by: Barry Sheerman (Labour (Co-op) - Huddersfield)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the human rights situation in Kashmir; and what steps he is taking to ensure all international agreements are upheld by India and Pakistan.
Answered by Leo Docherty - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for the Armed Forces)
We recognise that there are issues with human rights in both India-administered Kashmir and Pakistan-administered Kashmir. Any allegation of human rights violations or abuse must be investigated thoroughly and transparently. We have raised these matters with both the Governments of India and Pakistan.
Asked by: James Daly (Conservative - Bury North)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether his Department has taken steps to ensure that (a) Azad Jammu Kashmir and (b) Gilgit Baltistan receive a fair share of UK bilateral overseas development aid for Pakistan.
Answered by Vicky Ford
Our aid in Pakistan is allocated to UK strategic priorities, which include global health security; girls' education; climate change; human rights and freedom of religious belief. We work to ensure that UK aid in Pakistan is focused on the most vulnerable, while achieving the maximum impact.
The FCDO maintains an online Development Tracker tool, which contains information about specific programming in Pakistan: https://devtracker.fcdo.gov.uk/
Asked by: Marquess of Lothian (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the government of India regarding reports of increased targeted killings and violence by militants against Hindus, including Kashmiri Pandits, in Indian-administered Kashmir.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
We are aware of reports of ongoing violence in Kashmir and are monitoring closely. We unequivocally condemn the killings which have been carried out by militant groups in Kashmir and extend condolences to the families of those killed. We condemn any instances of discrimination because of Freedom of Religion or Belief, regardless of the country or faith involved.
Asked by: Afzal Khan (Labour - Manchester, Gorton)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps her Department is taking with its international counterparts to help resolve conflict in Kashmir.
Answered by Graham Stuart
The long-standing position of the UK is that it is for India and Pakistan to find a lasting, political resolution to the situation in Kashmir, taking into account the wishes of the Kashmiri people. It is not for the UK to prescribe a solution or to act as a mediator. We encourage both sides to maintain positive dialogue and find lasting, diplomatic solutions, but the pace and scope is for them to determine.
Asked by: Steve Baker (Conservative - Wycombe)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if she will make representations to the Government of Pakistan on maintaining the status of Gilgit Baltistan apart from an overall settlement of the issue of the status of Kashmir; and if she will make a statement.
Answered by James Cleverly - Home Secretary
The long-standing position of the UK is that it is for India and Pakistan to find a lasting, political resolution to the situation in Kashmir, taking into account the wishes of the Kashmiri people. It is not for the UK to prescribe a solution or to act as a mediator. We encourage both sides to maintain positive dialogue and find lasting, diplomatic solutions, but the pace and scope is for them to determine.
Asked by: Marquess of Lothian (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government when they last discussed with the governments of (1) India, and (2) Pakistan, the resumption at the earliest opportunity of formal bilateral relations over Kashmir since the suspension of those relations in 2019.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
India and Pakistan are long-standing, important friends of UK. The UK has consistently encouraged both sides to ensure communication channels are load-bearing and provide a means to find a lasting, diplomatic solutions to maintain regional stability. However, it is for India and Pakistan to find a lasting political resolution on Kashmir, taking into account the wishes of Kashmiri people.
Asked by: Catherine West (Labour - Hornsey and Wood Green)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions she has had with the Indian government on press freedom in Indian-administered Kashmir.
Answered by Amanda Milling - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
We are closely monitoring recent reports from Kashmir, including the arrests of journalists. A free and independent media is an essential component of a functioning society, leading to greater stability and prosperity and we are clear on the importance of rights being respected. The UK remains committed to Media Freedom, and to championing democracy and human rights around the world.
We work closely with the Indian media, including by funding an annual South Asia Journalism Fellowship Programme under our flagship Chevening brand. In 2020 and 2021, we funded 17 fellows, including 7 from India.
Asked by: Steve Baker (Conservative - Wycombe)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the accuracy of reports of extrajudicial killings in India where persons falsely accused of terrorism have been killed by (a) Indian armed forces and (b) police in Kashmir.
Answered by Amanda Milling - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
We are aware of reports of ongoing violence Kashmir in recent weeks. We express our condolences to the families of those who have lost their lives, including security personnel and civilians. Any allegations of mistreatment by the police or armed forces should be investigated thoroughly and transparently by the relevant authorities.