British MP says entire PoK should be reunited with India, condemns Pakistan's illegal occupation

File photo of British MP Bob Blackman

British MP Bob Blackman on Sunday reiterated his long-standing support for India’s position on Jammu and Kashmir, saying the entire Union Territory should be reunited with India and strongly criticising Pakistan’s continued control over parts of the region.

Speaking at a Hi-Tea programme at the Constitutional Club in Jaipur, the Conservative MP said his views were rooted in the events of the early 1990s — particularly the exodus of Kashmiri Pandits — and not shaped by the Indian government’s 2019 decision to abrogate Article 370.

“I didn’t just call for the abrogation of Article 370 back when Prime Minister Modi put it in the manifesto and implemented it. I called for this back in 1992, when the Kashmiri Pandits had been forced out of Jammu and Kashmir," Blackman said.

Recalling activism during that period, Blackman said there were efforts in the UK to draw attention to what he described as a grave injustice faced by the displaced community.

“We held a massive meeting at the time to say to people, this is wrong, this is unjust, that people were being forced out of their ancestral homes purely because of their religion and their background," he said.

The MP said he has consistently condemned terrorism in the region and renewed his criticism of Pakistan’s control over parts of Jammu and Kashmir.

“Not only have I condemned the terrorism that takes place, but I also condemned the illegal occupation by Pakistan of parts of the princely state of Jammu and Kashmir," he said.

Reiterating his central position on the dispute, Blackman added, “I’ve said from the word go, the whole of the princely state of Jammu and Kashmir should be reunited under the crown of India."

His remarks come months after he made similar statements following a terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which claimed 26 lives. In July 2025, Blackman condemned the incident in a statement posted on X.

“I remain appalled by the terrorist attack in Pahalgam a few months ago, which took 26 innocent lives," he wrote at the time.

He added, “I’m relieved that peace has held, but the truce remains fragile. As India seeks deeper security ties with the West, I urged the Govt to stand with India against terrorism," he mentioned.

Speaking in the UK Parliament back then, Blackman also referred to India’s response to the attack, saying, “Similarly, we had the horrific terrorist attack in Pahalgam and India’s subsequent counter-terrorism action ‘Operation Sindoor’. I remain deeply appalled and saddened by the barbaric attack on the innocent tourists, which claimed the lives of 26 people."

While welcoming the pause in hostilities between India and Pakistan, he cautioned against complacency. “That truce is still very fragile and could return to war once again," he said.

Blackman also alleged Pakistan’s role in cross-border terrorism, saying, “As someone who has stood with the Kashmir Pandits and their right to return to Kashmir Valley and India’s sovereign right to defend its people and territory, it is outrageous that this terrorism, sponsored by Pakistan, continues in Jammu and Kashmir."

During Operation Sindoor Global Outreach in June, Blackman described Pakistan as a “failed state" and questioned its civil-military balance. “So who’s in charge? Is it the democracy or the Generals? And it’s quite clear that terrorism is encouraged from Pakistan into sovereign India," he said.