The British High Commissioner in islamabad visited Pakistan-occupied Kashmir on Wednesday.

New Delhi:

Lodging a robust protest in opposition to a go to by the British High Commissioner in Islamabad to Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, the Ministry of External Affairs has mentioned that the infringement on India’s territorial integrity is unacceptable, and reiterated that Jammu and Kashmir has been and shall at all times stay an integral a part of the nation. 

Reacting to the go to by British High Commissioner Jane Marriott, the ministry mentioned on Friday, “India has taken a 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.”

“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 mentioned.

Sharing some photographs from her go to to Mirpur in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, Ms Marriott had posted on X, “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!”

Salaam from Mirpur, the center of the UK and Pakistan’s folks to folks ties! 70% of British Pakistani roots are from Mirpur, making our work collectively essential for diaspora pursuits. Thank you on your hospitality! pic.twitter.com/3LyNFQan9H

— Jane Marriott (@JaneMarriottUK) January 10, 2024

The deal with of the British High Commission in Pakistan additionally shared a video of Ms Marriott’s go to to the world, which confirmed her going to a bakery and interacting with district officers.

In October final yr, India had raised its concerns with the US over the go to of American Ambassador to Islamabad, Donald Blome, to Gilgit-Baltistan in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. The Ministry of External Affairs had known as on the world neighborhood to respect the nation’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. The US ambassador had visited Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir in 2022 as nicely.

Speaking in Parliament in December, Union Home Minister Amit Shah mentioned 24 seats have been reserved within the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly for Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, emphasising that “PoK is ours”.