LONDON, Oct 23: A British Member of Parliament has tabled a parliamentary motion reaffirming India’s sovereignty and territorial integrity over Jammu and Kashmir. Conservative Party MP Bob Blackman tabled the Early Day Motion (EDM) last week, ahead of Jammu and Kashmir Accession Day on October 26.
The EDM, a method used by British MPs to draw Parliament's attention to a particular issue, has been signed by three other cross party MPs. "That this House notes the continued observance on 26 October of Jammu and Kashmir Accession Day by residents of the UK of Jammu and Kashmiri heritage," reads the EDM.
It notes that on October 26, 1947, the Instrument of Accession was executed by Maharaja Hari Singh.
"(It) reaffirms the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of India over the State of Jammu and Kashmir; notes the importance of strong and constructive bilateral relations be- tween the UK and the Re- public of India," it states. To be sure, Jammu and Kashmir lost its statehood in 2019, when it was reorganised as a Union Territory, while Ladakh was carved out as a separate Union Territory.
- PTI