After envoys’ visit, EU calls for early assembly polls

Following a visit to Jammu and Kashmir by a group of 24 envoys, the European Union (EU) on Friday called for more political and economic steps, including the early holding of assembly elections, to restore normalcy in the region. EU ambassador Ugo Astuto and envoys of ten EU states, including key players such as France, Italy and the Netherlands, were part of the third group of heads of foreign missions to travel to J&K since January 2020. The visit was aimed at allowing the diplomats to make an assessment of the ground situation. While taking note of recent steps by the Indian government, such as holding of elections to the District Development Councils (DDCS) and resumption of 4G internet services, an EU official -- who spoke for members of the bloc -- said: “We look forward to a number of other important steps to be taken in the political and economic sphere, including the early organisation of the legislative assembly elections.”