Modi govt outsourced diplomacy to 'international business broker': Congress over EU MPs' visit to Kashmir

Holding a press conference here, Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said, "BJP Government has insulted India’s Parliament and our democratic spirit. When our own Members of Parliament and Leaders of Opposition visit Kashmir, they are detained and deported from Airport by the present BJP Government."

"On the other hand, the BJP Government is rolling out the Red Carpet for a private visit by EU MPs facilitated by an unknown ‘international business broker’," he added.

According to the WESTT website, the NGO "is a leading Women’s Think Tank with global dimensions focussing on the economic, environmental and social development of women. At a political level it is also lobbies to raise awareness on key issues but never for commercial gain".

As per a report by India Today, WESTT is a Corporate Social Responsibility activity of a UK-based business company called Madi Group.

Interestingly, WESTT founder has the same name Madi Sharma alias Madhu Sharma who was also present along with the European MPs while meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi before visiting Jammu and Kashmir.

The Congress has also attacked the Centre for allowing the European MPs in Jammu and Kashmir while restricting the Indian parliamentarians. Surjewala has accused the Modi government of changing its foreign policy by internationalising the Jammu and Kashmir issue.

However, the Centre had earlier repeatedly maintained Kashmir is an internal matter despite US President Donald Trump's offer to mediate between India and Pakistan over the Kashmir crisis.

"India’s time tested policy over last 72 years is that Kashmir is our internal issue and we will accept no interference or third party mediation of any nature from any government or group of people or organisation or any individual," Surjewala said.

"Modi Government has committed the gravest sin of reversing this policy over the last three days," the Congress leader said and added, "BJP Government has insulted India’s Parliament and our democratic spirit. When our own Members of Parliament and Leaders of Opposition visit Kashmir, they are detained and deported from Airport by the present BJP Government."

Interestingly, though a 27-member delegation of EU MPs had visited India, 23 of them went to Kashmir to assess the situation in the valley.

In an interview with NDTV, UK Liberal Democrat MP, Chris Davies, said he was dumped from the list of the parliamentarians who were about to visit Kashmir after he wanted a free access to the people of the newly-formed Union Territory.

"I wanted to talk to people and move without any security," Davies told the English news channel.

The rest 23 MPs on Tuesday held meetings with the Army officials and were also taken on a ride on Dal Lake.

Holding a press conference, which barred local news outlets and had the presence of selective media, the MPs on Wedneday said they "will fully support India in its efforts for lasting peace and ending terrorism".

This was the first time when an international visit to Jammu and Kashmir was allowed by the Indian government after it has abrogated Articles 370 and 35A to withdraw the special status which the valley used to enjoy since Independence.

(Image Credit: PIB)