(West Dunbartonshire) (SNP): The way that the
Government have used the United Kingdom Internal Market Bill to
allow the United Kingdom to abrogate an international treaty in
recent weeks has seen the UK take a step away from being a
normative power committed to an international rules-based order. As
my constituent Jagtar Singh Johal now faces his third anniversary
in custody without charge in India will the
Secretary of State at least tell both my constituent and the House
how he and his Government seek to remind the Republic of
Indiaof its obligations under international law,
given that his own Government have so flagrantly disrespected it?
The Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development
Affairs and First Secretary of State (): I am afraid I just do not accept the assertion, and I
do not accept the equivalence. We have very clear understandings
in relation to the positions we take in terms of consular access
and upholding human rights. We engage with the
Indian Government and other Governments right
across the world. I have never had the pushback the hon. Member
describes.
(Stoke-on-Trent South) (Con): With tensions
increasing in the China-Pakistan-India border
area, will my right hon. Friend confirm that the Government are
willing to redouble efforts to resolve the long-standing conflict
in Jammu and Kashmir?
: My hon. Friend takes a close interest in this issue,
and he will know that India and Pakistan are
both long-standing and important friends of the United Kingdom.
We have encouraged, and continue to encourage, both sides to
engage in the dialogue that is necessary to find a lasting
diplomatic solution to the situation in Kashmir,
and to maintain regional stability. It is, of course, ultimately
for India and Pakistan to find a lasting
political resolution, taking into account the wider issues of the
people of Kashmir.
