Rebutting criticism on EU visit to India, MEA states ‘MEP visit to Kashmir should not be internationalised’

New Delhi, October 31: As the oppositions hammered allegations commenting on European Union’s visit to India, the Ministry of External Affairs slammed them stating that it was was brought to government's notice that a delegation of members of the European Union Parliament (MEPs) was going to visit India. In a press conference, Ravish Kumar said the MEPs had expressed a "keen desire" to know the country, adding it was like a "familiarisation visit".

Questions were raised on an NGO and its head Madi Sharma who had invited the MEPs to meet Prime Minsiter Narendra Modi and also on the political backgrounds of these leaders who visited the Valley on Tuesday amid shutdown, clashes and killings of 6 non-local labourers in Kulgam district. MEA spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said, “They (MEPs) belonged to a spectrum of views from different countries of Europe and different political parties. Meetings were therefore accordingly facilitated as has been done on many previous occasions.”

Such delegations do not necessarily have to come through official channels, he added. Raveesh Kumar said the visit shouldn't be seen as "internationalisation of Kashmir" issue. Responding to the questions by the media, Kumar said, “Engagement with diplomatic community is not internationalising the issue. We are supposed to share our perspective with different group of people. We feel that this is in the larger interest”.

The Foreign Ministry also pointed to comments made by members of European Parliament (MEPs) on conclusion of their Kashmir visit that were largely supportive of Indian line. “The MEPs statements’ clearly reflected that they understand the ground situation and how terrorism poses threat to India and UT of J&K,” Raveesh Kumar said.

As Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh become Union Territories today, MEA on China's statement on establishment of UTs said, “China is well aware of India's consistent & clear position on this issue. The matter of reorganization of erstwhile state of J&K into UTs of J&K and Ladakh is entirely an internal affair of India.” He further added, “We do not expect other countries, including China to comment on the matters which are internal to India, just as India refrains from commenting on internal issues of other countries. UTs of J-K, & Ladakh are integral part of India.”

Moreover, reacting to ICJ President’s statement that Pakistan had violated the Vienna Convention, Kumar said, “Statement has just come out. We can't quickly react to it and how India is going to formulate its strategy...India-Pak have been in touch following the ICJ judgement, communication happening via diplomatic channels. If there's any update which we can share, I'll do.”