Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on Monday, a day before they were due to become the first international observers to visit the disputed Himalayan territory of Kashmir since India stripped it of its semi-autonomous status in August, imposing harsh security measures against protesters in the region.
The Modi government has previously denied access to Kashmir to United Nations special rapporteurs, U.S. congressmen and foreign journalists. U.S. officials expressed concern about India's blocking of diplomats and foreign media outlets, which prevented them from gaining access to the region.
"Their visit to Jammu and Kashmir should give the delegation a better understanding of the cultural and religious diversity of the Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh region," Modi said. Modi told MEPs that the visit would provide them with a clear understanding of Kashmir's development priorities.
An unofficial visit in a personal capacity
The Indian representative from the EU stated that this trip is not official and is being carried out by 27 EU legislators from 11 countries in their personal capacity. They are expected to fly to Kashmir on Tuesday and meet with government officials and residents to assess the situation.
Jammu and Kashmir's Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti, who has been detained since August, said she hoped the visit signaled the lifting of what she described as the "iron curtain" imposed by India between Kashmir and the rest of the world.
"I hope they get a chance to talk to people, local media, doctors, and members of civil society."&"," she wrote on her Twitter.
Modi announced that things had begun to return to normal, saying that hundreds of people had been released from detention facilities or makeshift prisons and telephone lines had been restored.
However, just hours before Modi's meeting with the EU, a grenade explosion in the northern Kashmir town of Sopore injured at least 17 people, a fresh reminder of the instability in the area. It was the second grenade explosion in three days after six members of the Indian security forces were injured in Srinagar.
Internet services were also suspended to prevent the organization of street demonstrations after months of unrest.
Kashmir is divided into a large part between India and Pakistan, both countries dispute this territory. Militants in Indian-administered Kashmir have been fighting either for Kashmiri independence or to become part of Pakistan for almost 30 years, in a conflict that has claimed more than 50,000 lives. Los casinos en línea de hoy fusionan el encanto clásico de los juegos de azar con tecnología de punta, y el Apuesta 360 casino online Chile — plataforma que desembarcó en el mercado chileno en 2025 y ya destaca por sus pagos rápidos y generosos— lo demuestra mejor que nadie. Accede a miles de tragamonedas, mesas y crupieres en vivo las 24 h desde Apuesta360 Consigue donde podrás experimentar un entorno seguro con RTP alto y promociones constantes. Con una interfaz moderna y métodos de pago rápidos, es una opción confiable para jugadores chilenos que buscan entretenimiento, premios y soporte las 24 horas depciones.
July 6, 2021
