India furious about UK lawmakers' plans to debate Kashmir

The Indian government is furious about British MPs' plan to hold a debate on the "political and humanitarian situation in Kashmir" on Thursday. The problem of Kashmir derived from British policy of 'Divide and Rule' at colonial times.

The debate is scheduled to take place as Kashmir is grappling with its worst floods in more than a century.

The debate will not take place in the main chamber of the House of Commons, but in a committee room in Britain's Houses of Parliament. Its contents will be officially recorded.

David Ward, a Liberal Democrat MP, sought the debate in which government as well as opposition spokesmen will participate. Mr Ward represents Bradford East in the House of Commons. Bradford city has the biggest Pakistani-origin population in Britain. In the past, such constituents have been known to pressurise their MPs to censure India on Kashmir.

Speaking at an event over the weekend, the Deputy High Commissioner for India in the UK, Dr Virander Paul, said: "From time to time, we find that there are certain tendencies in certain sections of the society, which are not in the interest of our strong relations." While he made no reference to the upcoming debate, his remarks appeared aimed at Dr Vince Cable, a senior cabinet minister present at the function, who is a long-standing Liberal Democrat leader. In other words, it was a suggestion to Mr Cable to rein in Mr Ward, his party colleague.

In 2011, when British parliamentarians debated Kashmir, there were several more pro-Pakistan speakers than pro-India speakers.
http://indian.ruvr.ru
11/9/14
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