JOIN US"No matter how well intentioned, any attempts by the UK or other third parties to mediate or prescribe solutions (to Kashmir issue) would hinder progress," Britain's Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs Alistair Burt said replying to the debate on "Human Rights on the Indian Subcontinent" in the House of Commons last evening.
The motion, moved by Steve Baker of the Conservative Party, was taken up at the initiative of 'backbenchers' and there was no vote on it. Less than 30 members of the 640-strong House of Commons attended the debate.
Miffed over British Parliament's moves to discuss alleged human rights violations in Jammu and Kashmir, India yesterday said it has taken "due note of the issue" and asserted there were effective mechanisms within the country's democratic framework to address any grievance or any aberration.
Burt said "the position of successive British Government has consistently been that any resolution (of the Kashmir issue) must be for India and Pakistan to agree, taking into account the wishes of the Kashmiri people.
"As India and Pakistan are currently making efforts to build confidence in all aspects of their relationship, I believe it is important that they be given space to determine the scope and pace of that dialogue.