Entire J&K, including PoK, is an integral part of India, says UK MP

Conservative Party leader John Blackman said that the entire state of Jammu and Kashmir, including parts "illegally controlled" by Pakistan, is an integral part of India "State of Jammu and Kashmir in totality is part of India an integral part of In

A UK lawmaker on Wednesday said the entire state of Jammu and Kashmir, including parts "illegally controlled" by Pakistan, is an integral part of India.

Speaking in Jammu, UK MP and leader of the ruling Conservative Party Robert John Blackman said "State of Jammu and Kashmir in totality is part of India an integral part of India and it needs to be reunited and should come under the dominion of India." 

Blackman said Pakistan must vacate the territory of Jammu and Kashmir "illegally occupied" by that country.

"The erstwhile ruler of Jammu and Kashmir had signed instrument of accession with India and given the control of the entire state of Jammu and Kashmir to India, it is Pakistan which illegally occupied its territory which it should hand back to India through negotiation," he said.

Blackman said that as both the countries were nuclear power, there was no question of them going to war over Kashmir, but that Pakistan must vacate the territory it has occupied and hand it over to India.

The lawmaker from the Harrow East constituency in England said that in the past the Pakistani lobby had a strong presence in the UK parliament but things have changed and people like him who are "friends of India" have started speaking about India.

He said that the ties between India and the United Kingdom have grown stronger even since Prime Minister Narendra Modi took over the reins of power in India and his last year's "historic visit" to UK has further strengthened the bond.

Blackman pointed out that India has been a victim of terrorism originating from Pakistani soil and it should take measures to rein in the "forces" that spread terrorism in countries like India.

Asked why UK does not declare Pakistan as a terrorist state, Blackman said he cannot speak on behalf of the UK government, but that he was aware of the terrorist attacks that India faced from the Pakistani side.

He added that the UK government stands shoulder to shoulder with India to combat terrorism.