House of Commons · Urgent Question
29 April 2025 · 33 other contributors
Opened by Gurinder Singh Josan Lab Smethwick
Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.
Gurinder Singh Josan raised concerns about kashmir increasing tension 2025-04-29 in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.
Key points
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.
Opened the debate
Will the Minister make a statement on the killing of 26 people in Pahalgam in Kashmir and the increasing tension between India and Pakistan? This urgent question addresses a terrorist attack that left 26 people dead, most of whom were tourists. The MP is concerned about the impact on both local communities in Kashmir and the international tensions it has caused.
Question
What support can the UK provide to ensure terrorists are found and brought to justice, ensuring their networks of support are dismantled? What steps will be taken to encourage a de-escalation of tensions between India and Pakistan?
Minister reply
The UK condemns terrorism wherever it occurs. We engage with both countries on security matters but cannot comment in detail due to intelligence sensitivities. We call for calm and engagement to prevent escalation.
Question
Can the Minister provide information about those responsible for the attacks? Does the UK believe Lashkar-e-Taiba bears responsibility, given their cross-border links to Pakistan? What support has been provided by the UK Government in response to this attack?
Minister reply
We are closely examining the situation but cannot comment further on intelligence matters. The UK supports India's security and counter-terrorism efforts through various partnerships.
Question
Can the Minister detail conversations with Indian and Pakistani counterparts to address this situation?
Minister reply
We are engaging closely with both countries to prevent escalation. We urge community leaders to promote unity rather than tensions playing out in UK streets.
Question
How can leaders commit to open dialogue and de-escalation efforts, including India reinstating the Indus waters treaty?
Minister reply
We advocate for open communication and de-escalation. It is vital that both countries maintain stable relations.
Question
The whole House is united in its condemnation of the horrific attack that killed 26 people in Pahalgam, Kashmir. The response from the Indian Government has been somewhat concerning, with unilateral action taken to revoke the Indus waters treaty, risking the lives and livelihoods of millions in Pakistan. Does the Minister agree that the international community must now seriously focus on de-escalation and long-term peace in the region? Can he also set out what the Government are doing to ensure that Kashmiris do not face further persecution or oppression?
Minister reply
This is clearly a time of heightened tensions, which inevitably invites concern both in the region and here in the UK. We are engaged with both states to try to find the most effective way to prevent these terrible incidents from ever being repeated, but also to ensure continued stability in the region.
Question
I asked at business questions last week for a statement on this issue this week, so I am grateful to you, Mr Speaker, for making sure that we have that statement through this urgent question. The reality of this terrorist attack is that these 26 men who were murdered systematically by being shot in the head were either Hindu or Christian. This was a deliberate Islamist attack on those tourists who were just going about their business in a peaceful manner. These terrorists were well equipped, and they were well co-ordinated. Will the Government commit to full support for India in apprehending the terrorists responsible and bringing the backers of those terrorists to justice? Will the Government take all steps to support the erosion and elimination of terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir?
Minister reply
The hon. Gentleman has come to have an argument, but I am not sure which part of the statement he did not like. Until the investigation is concluded, we should not speculate on the nature of the attack. I say to him that will do everything we can to ensure that those who committed this horrific attack are brought to justice, and India will have our support in that.
Question
We cannot let the situation escalate on to UK shores. We all bear a responsibility to help de-escalate tensions. What steps is the UK taking to support international bodies, especially the United Nations, in their calls for a de-escalation in tensions?
Minister reply
As I have said, we have spoken at the senior level to both states, and we have made clear the importance of maintaining stability in the region at this time.
Question
I echo the words of condemnation over the horrific terror attacks in Pahalgam, which took the lives of 26 innocent tourists. India’s unfounded claims against Pakistan are a dangerous and irresponsible reaction to the tragedy suffered in Kashmir. The unilateral and illegal decision to suspend the Indus waters treaty threatens to cut the lifeline of 200 million people in Pakistan, and it cannot stand. Will the Minister join me in expressing concern over the knife-edge position that these two nations are in and call for adherence to the diplomatic norms?
Minister reply
We understand that diplomatic treaties are being held in abeyance and that there is still space for a long-term answer to some of these questions.
Question
May I first send my condolences, thoughts and prayers to all the victims of this heinous terrorist attack in occupied Kashmir? What message can the Minister give my constituents to reassure them that the UK is doing all it can to de-escalate, bring things back to normal and hold the perpetrators to account?
Minister reply
We are focused on holding the perpetrators to account. I am familiar with the issues facing Pakistan in relation to acute natural disaster: I was there during the disastrous floods in 2010, and I recognise the importance of the Indus river system in both India and Pakistan and of co-operation between the two states to manage that vital system.
Question
As an officer of the all-party parliamentary group on British Hindus, I was especially shocked and saddened by the news of the horrific murder of 26 people last Tuesday. What steps are the Government taking to encourage both India and Pakistan to investigate these terrible crimes, and to ensure that lines of communication are kept open to avoid a further escalation of the conflict?
Minister reply
We are encouraging direct lines of communication, and we are of course encouraging Pakistan to provide all possible assistance with the investigation of these horrific crimes.
Question
Does the Minister agree that we must not let this issue boil over into our streets? In the light of the tit-for-tat actions being undertaken by Pakistan and India, does the Minister also agree that we need to encourage the holding of an open, independent inquiry to establish the facts, ensure accountability and help to restore calm?
Minister reply
My hon. Friend is, of course right: peace and calm are vital for communities here and across the world.
Question
At a time of such tragedy, language is incredibly important. Will the Minister use his position to make representations to the BBC to ensure that it understands the importance of the language it uses?
Minister reply
I resist calls for Ministers to police the BBC’s language too much, but let me be clear: this was a horrific terrorist attack, and that is the view of the British Government.
Question
I share the sentiments expressed by other Members. It is crucial to condemn unequivocally all forms of violence irrespective of their source, and our thoughts are with the victims and their families.
Minister reply
The House has unanimously condemned these acts of terrorism.
Question
Does the Minister agree that advocating for a peaceful resolution in Kashmir is also part of maintaining community cohesion in the UK, given that so many constituents have family members and friends in the region?
Minister reply
I do, of course. The UK supports a peaceful resolution of the long-standing issues in Kashmir between India and Pakistan.
Question
Could the Minister explain what steps are being taken regarding the pledge to pursue a new strategic partnership with India?
Minister reply
We stand with India in the face of this horrific attack. We have, at the very highest levels, been in direct contact with the Indian Government.
Question
What steps are being taken to de-escalate tensions and urge Governments of India and Pakistan for transparent investigation?
Minister reply
We have been engaged with both governments. The long-standing position is that it is for India and Pakistan to find a lasting resolution.
Question
Has the Foreign Secretary communicated with other regional powers like China?
Minister reply
Honestly, I have not spoken to the Foreign Secretary in the past 24 hours so I am not totally sure, but I will write to the hon. Member and let him know.
Question
Can this be used as an opportunity to look at longer-term issues that Kashmir has faced for decades?
Minister reply
We encourage the Pakistanis to cooperate fully with the Indian Government in their efforts to investigate, and we hope they will provide assistance.
Question
What specific steps are being taken to help de-escalate heightened tensions in the region?
Minister reply
We are seeking to play our full diplomatic role to help manage the heightened tensions between India and Pakistan.
Question
Will he confirm that the UK stands firm against terror in any form?
Minister reply
I can confirm that we stand against terrorism in all its manifestations. We will be working closely with all communities.
Question
Will the Minister tell Members to stop playing with fire?
Minister reply
I think the hon. Gentleman’s question is: will I condemn the existence of British Indian and British Pakistani communities? No, I won’t.
Question
What steps are being taken to de-escalate this particular situation?
Minister reply
We have been engaged with both states extensively over the past few days. We are taking all the steps we can.
Question
How are the Government working to support efforts to de-escalate and prevent cross-border exchanges?
Minister reply
We will continue to work with both states on these issues in the way I have described over the course of the afternoon.
Question
What have the Minister and the UK Government done so far to promote an open dialogue specifically?
Minister reply
We have spoken at a senior level to both Governments and are encouraging direct contact, which we understand is in place.
Question
Does the Minister agree that the Kashmiri people should not be subjected to collective punishment?
Minister reply
As I hope has been clear in all my answers, a terrible terrorist attack has been perpetrated, and India has our full support in going after the perpetrators of that attack. We do, however, expect all partners to act responsibly.
Question
What steps can the Minister take to provide support for the Government to deal with terrorism?
Minister reply
We advise against all travel to Jammu and Kashmir except for travel by air to the city of Jammu, within the city of Jammu and travel within the union territory of Ladakh.
Question
How are the British Government working with the Indian Government to provide support in the wake of this terror attack?
Minister reply
We will continue to play our full diplomatic role and welcome the efforts of my hon. Friend and many colleagues across this House in engaging right across the spectrum of their constituencies.
Question
Can the Minister set out what actions he will take through the UN to ensure that we start to move down the path of peace quickly?
Minister reply
The long-standing position of the United Kingdom is that it is for India and Pakistan to find a lasting resolution to the situation in Kashmir, taking into account the wishes of the Kashmiri people.
Question
Does the Minister agree that the incitement of hatred online is completely unacceptable?
Minister reply
We are aware of hatred being incited online in relation to events in the region, and we condemn it utterly. Where the threshold is met for police action, it should be taken.
Question
Can the Minister give my constituents assurances that the Government will work with international partners to support peace and stability in the region?
Minister reply
India and Pakistan are our friends. We have historical connections to both states and to communities right across the region, and we will continue to be committed to regional stability.
Question
Can the Minister specifically outline what engagement the British Government have had with the Commonwealth to help to reduce tensions?
Minister reply
We have been in direct contact with both India and Pakistan, and we will continue to do so.
Question
Can the Minister specifically outline what engagement the British Government are doing to identify parties responsible for these events?
Minister reply
Of course, we want to see the perpetrators held to justice properly, and we will be supporting India to do so.
Government Response
The horrific terrorist attack in Pahalgam left 26 people dead, most of whom were tourists. Following this incident, India announced diplomatic measures against Pakistan which have been reciprocated. The UK has advised against all travel to Jammu and Kashmir except for certain areas. This is a sensitive situation with risks to regional stability; the Prime Minister spoke to Prime Minister Modi, the Foreign Secretary communicated with External Affairs Minister Jaishankar and also spoke to Pakistan's Deputy PM. The UK condemned the attack, supported UN Security Council statements, and emphasised that it is for India and Pakistan to find a resolution considering Kashmiri wishes.