Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the number of churches being destroyed through violence in Manipur in India; and what support, if any, they are offering to the Christian community there.

Our network in India continues to follow closely reports of violence, including vandalism of places of worship, in Manipur state. The UK Government has a broad and deep partnership with the Government of India, and we discuss all elements of our relationship. I [Lord (Tariq) Ahmad] raised the current situation in Manipur with the Indian Ministry of Home Affairs, during my visit to India in May. The British High Commissioner to India and our Deputy High Commissioner for East and Northeast India have met with numerous communities over the last year, including visiting both Christian and Hindu places of worship.