New Delhi: India expressed objection on British High Commissioner in Islamabad Jane Marriott's visit to "New Mirpur City" of Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (POK) on January 13.
British High Commissioner in Islamabad Jane Marriott visited to "Mirpur" of Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (POK) on January 10. She was in Mirpur on a one-day trip.
British High Commissioner in Islamabad Jane Marriott wrote on X on January 10 about her visit to Mirpur:
"Salaam from Mirpur, the heart of the UK and Pakistan’s people to people ties! 70% of British Pakistani roots are from Mirpur, making our work together crucial for diaspora interests. Thank you for your hospitality!"
On January 13, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has taken a serious note of the highly objectionable visit of the British High Commissioner in Islamabad, along with a UK Foreign Office official, to Pakistan Occupied Kashmir on 10 January 2024.
The MEA spkesperson Randhir Jaiswal also wrote on X on January 13:
"India protests visit of British High Commissioner in Islamabad to Pakistan occupied Kashmir."
India protests visit of British High Commissioner in Islamabad to Pakistan occupied Kashmir:https://t.co/vd4WqODznI pic.twitter.com/sYwkMUjAkr
— Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) January 13, 2024
"Such infringement of India's sovereignty and territorial integrity is unacceptable", the MEA said.
Foreign Secretary of India Vinay Mohan Kwatra lodged a strong protest with the British High Commissioner in India Alex Ellis on this infringement.
The MEA further said in its statement on January 13 that the Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh are, have been and shall always remain an integral part of India.
"Mirpur", officially known as New Mirpur City is the capital of Mirpur district located in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (POK), Pakistan. It is the second largest city of POK and 74th largest city in Pakistan.