New Delhi: Because the winds of change sweep by means of the political panorama of Britain, the Labour Get together, led by Keir Starmer, is poised to take the bulk within the 650-seat Home of Commons and finish the 14 years of Conservative rule. Nonetheless, the influence of this shift in India, an important companion of the UK, which is at present engaged in commerce deal negotiations, stays to be seen.
One in every of Keir Starmer’s first challenges as UK Prime Minister shall be to restore the Labour Get together’s strained relations with New Delhi, which have been troubled by the social gathering’s contentious stance on Kashmir.
UK’s Labour Get together On Kashmir
The Labour Get together has regularly confronted criticism for its place on the Kashmir concern, which sharply contrasts with the British authorities’s view that Kashmir is a bilateral matter between India and Pakistan.
In 2019, when the Indian authorities eliminated Article 370, the Labour Get together acknowledged that Kashmir is a “disputed territory” and that the individuals there ought to have the correct to determine their very own future, as per UN resolutions.
Beneath Jeremy Corbyn’s management, the Get together handed an emergency movement calling for worldwide observers to ‘enter’ Kashmir. The movement additionally urged Corbyn to satisfy with the excessive commissioners of India and Pakistan to mediate and restore peace, aiming to stop a possible nuclear battle.
India criticised the decision, calling it an try to cater to vote-bank pursuits.
Starmer’s Election Manifesto
In his manifesto, he highlighted the dedication to hunt a “new strategic partnership” with India, with a robust give attention to the commerce settlement. In the course of the election campaigning interval, Starmer tried his finest to destagmatize his social gathering’s picture as ‘Hinduphobic’ by celebrating Holi and Diwali.
In conferences with the Indian diaspora and public addresses, Starmer made it clear that Kashmir is an inner matter to be resolved by India and Pakistan.
