India Protests British High Commissioner’s Visit to Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir

India’s Ministry of External Affairs strongly protested against the visit of British High Commissioner Jane Marriott to Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), asserting that any infringement on India’s territorial integrity is unacceptable. The ministry emphasized that Jammu and Kashmir has always been an integral part of India. The Foreign Secretary lodged a formal protest with the British High Commissioner in India.

Marriott had shared photos from her visit to Mirpur in PoK, highlighting the importance of UK-Pakistan people-to-people ties and the significant British Pakistani diaspora roots in Mirpur. The British High Commission in Pakistan also posted a video showcasing Marriott’s interactions with local officials and visits to establishments in the area.

This incident follows a similar concern raised by India in October regarding the visit of the US Ambassador to Islamabad, Donald Blome, to Gilgit-Baltistan in PoK. The Ministry of External Affairs had urged the international community to respect India’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Union Home Minister Amit Shah, in a parliamentary address, underlined India’s claim over PoK by stating that 24 seats in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly are reserved for representatives from PoK, emphasizing that PoK belongs to India. The government consistently maintains its stance on territorial integrity, reacting strongly to foreign officials visiting disputed regions.