Britain appreciates finding a lasting solution to Kashmir

Toronto : UK monitors developments in Kashmir closely, including the political, security and human rights situation, and encourage both New Delhi and Islamabad to maintain dialogue.

The Rt. Hon. Hugo Swire, Minister of State, expresses his thanks to Mushtaq A. Jeelani, Executive Director of Peace and Justice Forum (PJF), for his letter to British Prime Minister Mr David Cameron regarding the unresolved Kashmir issue.

The Minister writes, “Thank you for your letter of 20 December 2013 to the Prime Minister about Kashmir. I am replying as Minister responsible for our relations with India.”

“We recognise that there are human rights concerns in both Indian and Pakistan-administered Kashmir. We monitor developments in Kashmir closely, including the political, security and human rights situation and incidents on the Line of Control. Officials from our High Commissions in both New Delhi and Islamabad regularly raise concerns about the human rights situation in Kashmir with both governments and travel to the region,” states Mr Swire.

“We welcome the fact that the Prime Ministers of India and Pakistan met in New York last September, and the commitment they made to maintain a ceasefire on the Line of Control in Kashmir. This has been followed up by a meeting of Senior Military Commanders from both Pakistan and Indian-Administered Kashmir and the Pakistan [and Indian] Commerce Ministers also met recently in New Delhi,” says the Minister.

“We recognise the importance of a strong relationship between India and Pakistan and encourage both sides to maintain a dialogue, but the pace and scope of these is for the two countries to determine,” maintains Mr Swire.

“We fully appreciate the importance of finding a lasting solution to the situation in Kashmir,” stresses the Minister of State.

“However, it is not for the UK to prescribe a solution nor to mediate in finding one. This has been the long standing position of the UK, as reiterated by the Prime Minister during his visit to India February 2013,” remarks Mr Swire.

“It is for India and Pakistan to find a lasting resolution to the situation in Kashmir, one which takes into account the wishes of the Kashmiri people,” articulates the Minister.