The British envoy to Islamabad paid a visit to Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), and India strongly objected to the visit on Saturday, citing it as a "unacceptable" breach of the nation's territorial integrity. On January 10, Jane Marriott, the British ambassador to Pakistan, visited Mirpur in the Province of Kashmir (PoK) and met with locals, entrepreneurs, and government representatives.
In a statement, the ministry of external affairs stated that the Indian side had taken "serious note of the highly objectionable visit" to Pakistan of Marriott and a UK Foreign Office official. The statement declared that such a violation of India's territorial integrity and sovereignty was intolerable.
In response to this violation, British high commissioner in India, Alex Ellis, received a forceful complaint from Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra. “The Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh are, have been and shall always remain an integral part of India,” the statement added. Marriott, who became the first woman British envoy to Pakistan in July 2023, had posted on X about the visit. “Salaam from Mirpur, the heart of the UK and Pakistan’s people to people ties! 70% of British Pakistani roots are from Mirpur, making our work together crucial for diaspora interests. Thank you for your hospitality!” the post said.
In a short video that was shared on X, the UK high commission in Islamabad showed Marriott touring a Mirpur business and mingling with a street kids football team. She was also seen conversing with the local chamber of business and the district management of Mirpur in the video. There are a sizable number of dual citizens in Mirpur between Pakistan and Britain. The economy of Mirpur has also benefited from the remittances sent home by British Pakistanis, and British citizens are well-represented in the area as business and civic leaders.
Foreign diplomats, particularly those from friendly nations like the US and the UK, have historically incensed India when they have visited the PoK. India sent a message to the United States in October of last year following a visit to Gilgit-Baltistan in Pakistan by US Ambassador to Pakistan, Donald Blome. The international community was encouraged to respect India's sovereignty and territorial integrity at the time by New Delhi.
