Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent representations he has made to the governments of India and Pakistan on the situation in Kashmir; and if he will make a statement.

The UK's long-standing position, held by successive Governments, is that it is for India and Pakistan to find a lasting resolution to the situation, taking into account the wishes of the Kashmiri people. It is not for the UK to 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. During her visit to India in November, my Rt Hon. Friend the Prime Minister the Member for Maidenhead (Mrs May) discussed a range of issues with Prime Minister Modi, including Kashmir. On his trip to Pakistan in November 2016 , my Rt Hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary the Member for Uxbridge and South Ruislip (Boris Johnson) reiterated the call for dialogue, while also reiterating that the pace and scope of any dialogue was for India and Pakistan to determine. At that time, he also called for an end to the violence over the Line of Control, and for both sides to exercise restraint.