Nearly 30 Euro MPs, drawn mainly from extreme right-wing parties, will on Tuesday (today) be the first international delegation to visit India-occupied Kashmir since authorities imposed a security clampdown in August to back the ending of the region’s autonomy.
While the Indian government backs the visit, the European parliament and European Union hierarchy have not been involved, raising some diplomatic doubts.
Several European embassies in New Delhi were unaware of the visit until Monday.
Muslim-majority occupied Kashmir, in the grip of an uprising for 30 years, has been in the international spotlight since the New Delhi government’s move to tighten its grip on the Himalayan region.
“The delegation of MEPs is not on an official visit in India and came here at the invitation of a non-government group,” said an EU official in India, speaking on condition of anonymity. “We are not organising any of their meetings.”— AFP
