India Strongly Objects To POK Visit By British Envoy, Deems It 'Highly Objectionable'

The objection to a recent visit by the British envoy to Islamabad to Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (POK) was expressed by the central government on Saturday. Mirpur was visited by the UK High Commissioner to Pakistan, Jane Marriott, on January 10. In a statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs, Marriott's visit was deemed "highly objectionable" and an act that was considered an "infringement of India's sovereignty and territorial integrity."

India on UK envoy's visit to POK

A strong protest regarding this infringement was lodged by Foreign Secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra with the British High Commissioner in India, as per the statement by the ministry. In the statement by the ministry, it was emphasized that "The Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh are, have been, and shall always remain an integral part of India."

Following her visit to the region, pictures were shared by Jane Marriott on X, mentioning that 70 per cent of British Pakistani roots are from Mirpur. "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!" Wrote the British envoy on social media platform, X, formerly known as Twitter.

The visit sparked criticism on social media, with users slamming the British envoy, describing it as "shameful" that the UK government "sent its representatives" to Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Some users also called for British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to take action against Jane Marriott.

A similar incident occurred in October 2023 when the US envoy to Pakistan, David Blome, visited Gilgit-Baltistan in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. On that occasion as well, the central government raised the issue with the US authorities and reiterated that the entire region of Jammu and Kashmir is an "integral part of India."