New Delhi, October 28: A 28-member delegation of the European Union (EU), which is on an official visit to India, met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval. The delegation discussed the situation in Jammu & Kashmir and the shock move by New Delhi to repeal the state's semi-autonomous status. During the meeting, the Indian leadership agreed to grant permit to the EU delegation to visit the Valley tomorrow. NSA Ajit Doval on Article 370 Repeal: Majority of Kashmir Supporting Move, 92.5% of J&K Freed of Restrictions.
The visit by the EU delegation to the disputed region would be the first by a global body since the abrogation of Article 370. The move would come days after Pakistan Army facilitated the visit of several High Commissioners and international reporters to Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir (PoK) to probe the rights' violation charges.
A statement issued by the Prime Minister's Office said Modi is hopeful that the visit would provide the European Union of a detailed understanding of the Kashmir region.
"PM expressed hope they have fruitful visit to various parts of country, including to J&K. Their visit to J&K should give delegation better understanding of cultural and religious diversity of region; apart from giving a clear view of development and governance priorities of region," the PMO said in a statement.
Update by ANI:
Sources: European Union Parliamentary delegation to visit Srinagar tomorrow. They will meet Jammu and Kashmir administration officials & local residents of Srinagar. They are also likely call on the Governor. pic.twitter.com/sCbsvCJVE6
— ANI (@ANI) October 28, 2019
Full List of Members in the EU Delegation:
Members of European Parliament which called on PM Modi at 7, Lok Kalyan Marg today are - Poland's Joana Kopcinska, Poland's Grzegorz Tobiszowski, Italy's Silvia Sardone, Slovakia's Peter Pollak, France's France Jamet, France's Nicholas Bay, Poland's Ryszard Czarnecki.
— ANI (@ANI) October 28, 2019
Earlier this month, the US Senator Chris Van Hollen petitioned the Indian government seeking permission to visit the Kashmir Valley. His plea was turned down by New Delhi citing security reasons.
Islamabad has consistently demanding intervention from third-party groups and international leaders to ensure the restrictions imposed on the civilian populace in J&K is uplifted at the earliest.
NSA Doval, while earlier justifying the communication blockade, said it was essential as the Intelligence is continuously intercepting propaganda messages coming from across the border. The neighbouring nation has been accused of attempting to unleash an anti-India campaign via the internet which would fuel militancy in the Valley.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 28, 2019 02:24 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).