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Govt. signals shift in stand, allows EU MPs to visit Srinagar
Why in news?
- Nearly three months after its decision on Article 370, the Union government has allowed a delegation comprising 27 Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) from Italy, Britain, France, Germany, Czech Republic and Poland to travel to Srinagar on Tuesday to see the situation there
More in news
- First time visit to Kashmir- the government has allowed such a visit for the first time to the Kashmir Valley since August 5, after dilution of Article 370 and its bifurcation into Union Territories.
- Visit to Jammu & Kashmir coordinated with the NSA’s office
- Majority of MEPs belong to farright, antiimmigration parties in the European Union. As per Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) official, said that they were “identified on the basis of their convenience to visit”, even other foreign groups may also be allowed to visit J&K and ruled out any political bias in the invitations
- Purpose of the visit:
(1) Visit in Personal Capacity- European Union (EU) Embassy in Delhi has clarified that the MEPs were in India in their “personal capacity”.
(2) Acquaint them with the development priorities of the region.
(3) To visit schools:While in Srinagar, the MEPs are expected to visit schools, and receive briefings on the security situation.
- Other Information:
(1) No funding or planning of visit by MEA and that the delegation had been invited by an NGO called WESTT, which is hosting them.
(2) Visit after Criticism in EU and USA: The decision to allow the MEPs to visit J&K marks a significant turnaround in the government’s policy after it faced considerable criticism in the EU and in the U.S. over the Article 370 move.
(3) Refused permission to any foreign journalist and turned down requests from diplomats based in Delhi as well to visit since Aug 5.
(4) Recently also declined a request by visiting U.S. Congressman Chris Van Hollen to visit Srinagar, and it was brought up by the State Department at a special hearing of the S. Congress subcommittee on Human Rights that looked into concerns over Kashmir. U.N. Special Rapporteurs at the Human Rights Council have also issued statements protesting the denial of applications to visit.
- European Parliament’s Committee on Foreign Affairs:
(1) Expressed concern over the MEPs’ visit,
(2) It had held a rare discussion on Kashmir in Brussels.
(3) The European Parliament at Strasbourg held a debate, and MEPs met the “Friends of Kashmir group”. However, the Parliament refused to pass any resolution against India.
Sources
The Hindu