SRINAGAR: India has strongly objected to the recent visit of the British High Commissioner in Islamabad, accompanied by a UK Foreign Office official, to Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), The Indian Express reported.
British envoy Jane Marriott visited Mirpur city on January 10. The Ministry of External Affairs issued a statement on the matter, stating, “India has taken a serious note of the highly objectionable visit of the British High Commissioner in Islamabad, along with a UK Foreign Office official, to Pakistan-occupied Kashmir on 10 January 2024.” It emphasized that any infringement on India’s sovereignty and territorial integrity is unacceptable.
Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra lodged a strong protest with the British High Commissioner in India regarding this infringement, according to the statement.
“The Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh are, have been and shall always remain an integral part of India,” the statement asserted.
Following her visit to Mirpur, Marriott shared a post on X, saying, “Salaam from Mirpur, the heart of the UK and Pakistan’s people-to-people ties! 70% of British Pakistani roots are from Mirpur, making our work together crucial for diaspora interests. Thank you for your hospitality!”
Last year, India had expressed “concerns” to Washington regarding the US Ambassador to Pakistan’s visit to Gilgit and Baltistan, areas India considers part of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).
The US Ambassador to Pakistan, Donald Blome, had travelled to Gilgit and Hunza valleys in the third week of September. The American Embassy in Islamabad had then stated that the purpose of his visit was to “explore opportunities for strengthening the region’s climate resilience.”
