LONDON, Oct 22: A British lawmaker has introduced a parliamentary motion reaffirming India’s sovereignty and territorial integrity over Jammu and Kashmir, ahead of the region’s Accession Day on October 26.
Conservative Party MP Bob Blackman tabled the Early Day Motion (EDM) in the House of Commons last week. The motion has received support from three other MPs representing different political parties.
The EDM acknowledges the observance of Jammu and Kashmir Accession Day by British residents of Jammu and Kashmiri heritage. It recalls that Maharaja Hari Singh signed the Instrument of Accession on October 26, 1947, formally bringing the princely state into the Indian Union.
The motion explicitly reaffirms India’s sovereignty and territorial integrity over Jammu and Kashmir and underlines the importance of maintaining strong and constructive bilateral relations between the United Kingdom and India.
An Early Day Motion is a parliamentary procedure through which British MPs draw attention to specific issues. Although such motions rarely lead to formal debates, they can highlight political positions and encourage wider discussion.
The document also expresses sympathy for civilians who have been killed or injured in terrorist attacks across Jammu and Kashmir, including in areas described in the motion as Pakistan-occupied regions. It raises concerns over the continuing toll of terrorism on civilians and security personnel.
Highlighting the plight of Kashmiri Pandits, the EDM expresses sadness over continued targeted killings and recognises the community’s vulnerability to terrorist violence and intimidation in parts of the region.
It further acknowledges the importance of October 26 for communities that commemorate the accession of Jammu and Kashmir to India, describing the occasion as a significant constitutional milestone.
The motion also recognises the contribution of British communities of Jammu and Kashmiri origin to the UK’s cultural, social and civic life. It welcomes peaceful commemorations that encourage historical awareness, cultural exchange and public participation.
Calling for a constructive approach to the issue, the EDM emphasises dialogue, community cohesion and respect for international norms and sovereign boundaries in discussions concerning Jammu and Kashmir.
The other signatories are Democratic Unionist Party MP Jim Shannon, Labour MP Gill Furniss and Liberal Democrat MP Luke Taylor.
Jammu and Kashmir underwent a major administrative reorganisation in August 2019, when the former state was divided into two Union Territories: Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh.