Gilgit-Baltistan: UK MP bats for India

Lobbies supporting India and Pakistan often clash in Britain’s parliament, but a motion in the House of Commons, criticising Pakistan’s proposal to declare Gilgit-Baltistan as its fifth province, faces the unlikely fate of none of the Indian-origin MPs supporting it so far.

The motion was tabled by Conservative party MP Bob Blackman, who represents Harrow East, on March 23, but until Friday, he remains the sole signatory to it.

MPs usually demonstrate support to such motions by adding their signatures to it.

There are 10 Indian-origin MPs in the current parliament, five each in the Conservative and Labour parties. There is some despair but not surprise in Indian quarters over the fate of Blackman’s motion, given recent experience of India-related debates in parliament.

A heated debate in Parliament on January 19 on the situation in Jammu and Kashmir saw only two MPs speak in India’s favour — Blackman and senior Labour MP Virendra Sharma. The motion asking the UK government to raise the issue at the United Nations was agreed.

An Indian-origin MP said Blackman’s motion was introduced before the recess and not many were aware of it amidst the large collection of such motions, but hoped that more will support it after the House resumes later this month.

Ministerial responsibilities prevent some MPs from signing motions. Blackman said others had not done so because their Indian constituents had not lobbied them.

He and others mentioned the proactive lobbying by Pakistan groups in the UK.