Asked by: Julie Cooper (Labour - Burnley)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representations he has made to his counterpart in (a) India and (b) Pakistan on compliance with the Indus Waters Treaty.
Answered by Andrew Murrison
We continue to encourage India and Pakistan to work together in support of regional stability. The long-standing Indus Waters Treaty is an important part of this. It has continued to function well, including at times of tension, with India and Pakistan working closely with the World Bank.
Asked by: Julie Cooper (Labour - Burnley)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the effect of the Neelum-Jhelum Hydroelectric project on the population of (a) the city of Muzaffarabad and (b) Pakistani Administrated Kashmir.
Answered by Andrew Murrison
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has not carried out an assessment of the Chinese-built Neelum-Jhelum Hydropower project in Pakistani-administered Kashmir. As with any large infrastructure project, the concerns of the local population should be considered carefully and in accordance with local legal processes.
Asked by: Julie Cooper (Labour - Burnley)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, with reference to the report entitled Report on the Situation of Human Rights in Kashmir: Developments in the Indian State of Jammu and Kashmir from June 2016 to April 2018, and General Human Rights Concerns in Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan, published by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights on 14 June 2018, what steps his Department is taking to ensure the recommendations of that report is given serious consideration by the Governments of India and Pakistan.
Answered by Mark Field
The British Government has taken note of the concerns across Kashmir raised in the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights' report and his recommendations for both the Governments of India and Pakistan to consider. We encourage all states to cooperate with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and ensure that their domestic laws are in line with international human rights standards.
The FCO is concerned by any allegation of human rights abuse, which much must be investigated thoroughly, promptly and transparently. The UK's longstanding position is that it is for India and Pakistan to find a lasting political resolution to the situation in Kashmir, taking account of the wishes of the Kashmiri people. It is not for the UK to prescribe a solution or act as a mediator.
Asked by: Julie Cooper (Labour - Burnley)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps the Government has taken to tackle human rights abuses of people from Kashmir in (a) India and (b) Pakistan.
Answered by Mark Field
The British Government encourages all states to ensure that their domestic laws meet international human rights standards. This includes the need for any allegations of human rights abuses to be investigated thoroughly, promptly and transparently. We raise the issue of Kashmir, including human rights, with the governments of India and Pakistan.
Asked by: Julie Cooper (Labour - Burnley)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what the Government's policy is on the outcome of the dispute in the Kashmir region.
Answered by Mark Field
The British Government has a deep and broad partnership with India and Pakistan in which we discuss a wide range of matters, including Kashmir. These discussions take place regularly in London and in both Delhi and Islamabad.
The long standing position of the British Government is that it is for India and Pakistan to find a lasting resolution to the situation in Kashmir, taking into account the wishes of the Kashmiri people. We encourage both sides to maintain positive dialogue, but the pace and scope of this is for them to determine.
Asked by: Julie Cooper (Labour - Burnley)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent meetings the Government has had with the Government of Pakistan on Kashmir.
Answered by Mark Field
The UK Government habitually discusses a wide range of matters with India and Pakistan, including Kashmir.
The long-standing and established position of the UK Government is that it is for India and Pakistan to find a lasting resolution to the situation in Kashmir, taking into account the wishes of the Kashmiri people. It is not for the UK to intervene, prescribe a solution or to act as a mediator. We encourage both sides to maintain positive dialogue, but the pace and scope of this is for them to determine.
Asked by: Julie Cooper (Labour - Burnley)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent meetings the Government has had with the Government of India on Kashmir.
Answered by Mark Field
The UK Government habitually discusses a wide range of matters with India and Pakistan, including Kashmir.
The long-standing and established position of the UK Government is that it is for India and Pakistan to find a lasting resolution to the situation in Kashmir, taking into account the wishes of the Kashmiri people. It is not for the UK to intervene, prescribe a solution or to act as a mediator. We encourage both sides to maintain positive dialogue, but the pace and scope of this is for them to determine.