End ungenerous, ill-informed advice to India: Lord Paul to UK

NRI industrialist Lord Swraj Paul told Britain that it should end a stream of ungenerous and often ill-informed advice that is directed to India on matters including human rights, corruption and Kashmir and take steps to reverse the slow decline affecting the bilateral ties.
Participating in a debate in the House of Lords last evening on the assessment of British Government of the outcome of the general election in India, Paul said, "after a lifetime linked to both societies, I am deeply conscious that the things that unite us are far greater than the things which divide us.
"That is why...I am concerned about and share the disquiet that so many Indians feel about the stream of ungenerous and often ill-informed advice that is directed from this country to India - generally offering unsolicited counsel on how India should conduct its democracy and manage its affairs."

Citing a few instances, Paul, the Chairman of the Caparo Group of industries, noted that the "ungenerous and often ill-informed advice" directed to India pertained to issues of human rights, corruption and on Kashmir.
"There are cases of (human rights) abuse in India but they are invariably investigated through independent judicial enquiries and the outcomes are inevitably taken very seriously. Ill-founded allegations are made over and over again suggesting Indian indifference to these situations," he said.
On corruption, he said, "there are serious issues but the Narendra Modi government has addressed this with an unprecedented vigour and seems to be making progress on this hugely complex problem. A problem that Your Lordships well know is not confined to India. Even Britain is not exempt. Little, if any, credit is given to the determined efforts now underway to correct this situation."

On Kashmir, Paul noted "there is a cascade of intrusive comment, instruction and advice. India is in constant discussion with Pakistan and has made it clear that Kashmir is an integral part of India."
He also noted that it was a "very special year" for India which saw over 800 million voters register their vote.
"A new leader, and we must congratulate Mr Narendra Modi, was able to secure a one-party majority and a stable government after many years minority or coalition rule. In these days of political turmoil, times when democracy often seems so unstable and fragile, this bodes well for the future of India," he said.