Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether there are established processes to enable compensation by the Republic of India to families whose homes have been destroyed by its forces' shelling of areas within Pakistan-administered Kashmir.

We are concerned by levels of firing and shelling between Indian and Pakistani troops in Kashmir. We urge both sides to exercise restraint and improve channels of communication. We encourage both India and Pakistan to find lasting diplomatic solutions to maintain regional stability.

Any compensation processes would be a matter for the Indian and Pakistani Governments, but we are clear on the importance of rights being fully respected and continue to call for constructive dialogue with affected communities. The longstanding position of the UK is that it is for India and Pakistan to find a lasting political resolution on Kashmir, taking into account the wishes of the Kashmiri people.