Unacceptable: India strongly protests British envoy’s PoK visit
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New Delhi: India on Saturday lodged a strong protest with the UK over a visit by the British High Commissioner in Islamabad to Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), stating that it amounted to an “unacceptable” infringement of the country’s territorial integrity.
"India has taken 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. Such infringement of India's sovereignty and territorial integrity is unacceptable," the Ministry of External Affairs said on Saturday reacting to the visit by British High Commissioner Jane Marriott.
The Ministry also reiterated that Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, have been and shall always remain an integral part of the country.
"Foreign Secretary has lodged a strong protest with the British High Commissioner in India on this infringement. The Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh are, have been and shall always remain an integral part of India," the ministry said.
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"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!" Marriott had posted on X.
She had also shared photos from her visit to Mirpur in PoK.
The handle of the British High Commission in Pakistan also shared a video of Marriott's visit to the area, which showed her going to a bakery and interacting with district officials.
In October last year, India had expressed concerns with the US over the visit of the American Ambassador to Islamabad, Donald Blome, to Gilgit-Baltistan in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
The Ministry of External Affairs had called on the world community to respect the country's sovereignty and territorial integrity. The US ambassador had visited Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir in 2022 as well.
Speaking in Parliament in December, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said 24 seats have been reserved in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly for Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, emphasising that "PoK is ours".
