MEA objects to British ambassador’s PoK visit

New Delhi, January 13

India and the UK engaged in a diplomatic tiff following the recent visit of UK High Commissioner to Pakistan Jane Marriott to the Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) with the Ministry of External Affairs saying that such infringement of this country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity was not acceptable.

The MEA’s riposte came two days after Defence Minister Rajnath Singh concluded an apparently successful visit to the UK during which sensitive defence equipment such as engines, electric propulsion, missiles, power-packs and maritime systems were identified as some of the focus areas of joint work between India and the UK.

Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra lodged a strong protest with British High Commissioner in India Alex Ellis in this regard, said the MEA. “The UTs of J&K and Ladakh are, have been and shall always remain an integral part of India,” said the MEA.

The British envoy to Pakistan had visited Mirpur in the PoK on January 10 along with a UK Foreign Office official. She justified her visit saying, “70 per cent of British Pakistani roots are from Mirpur, making our work together crucial for diaspora interests”.