Published 10:09 IST, October 3rd 2019
India blocks Masood Khan's address on matters of J&K in France
The President of PoK, Masood Khan has been barred from attending an event in the Lower House of the French Parliament after India announced its objection to it
The President of Pakistan occupied Kashmir, Masood Khan has been barred from attending an event in the Lower House of the French Parliament. According to reports, India has blocked the PoK President’s address as the issue of Jammu and Kashmir is an internal matter. Furthermore, the address would have caused an infringement to India’s sovereignty as Kashmir is an integral part of India. The European country took note of this and decided to pause the address of Masood Khan.
France had earlier this year designated the Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) chief Masood Azhar as a 'global terrorist' by the UNSC 1267 sanctions committee. This came after the Pulwama terror attack which was claimed by the JeM.
India blocks Pakistan's address
Masood Khan was supposed to address French parliamentarians at the event organised by the Embassy of Pakistan in France. India, however, has urged the French Foreign Ministry to put an end to the upcoming address of the PoK President as Kashmir is a crucial element of the country and an internal matter. Prominent members of the Indian diaspora in France also gave a signed petition to stop the event, according to sources. As a result, France decided to stop Masood Khan from giving out his address on the matters of Jammu and Kashmir.
Tensions between India-Pakistan
After the abrogation of Article 370, tensions between India and Pakistan have soared. Since then, Pakistan has sought to internationalise the issue of Jammu and Kashmir. However, it has been snubbed by the international community time and again. India continues to maintain that the issue of Kashmir is an internal matter and its constitutional chargers are to be discussed and decided within the country. The international community has agreed with India's stance on the matter further refusing to put forward any actions or comments on the issue.
(With ANI inputs)
Updated 13:18 IST, October 3rd 2019