§ Chris GraylingTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the recent disturbances in the Gujarat region of India. [65405]
§ Mr. Mike O'BrienWe share my hon. Friends' concerns over the recent communal violence and deaths in Gujarat. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs has been in regular contact with the Governnment of India on the situation in Gujarat, including during his most recent visit to India on 29 May, when he raised this with Mr. Advani, the then Indian Minister for Home Affairs. He raised the case of the four British nationals who were attacked by a mob on 28 February and urged that those responsible be brought to justice. The Government of India have themselves strongly condemned the violence in Gujarat, and have given assurances, which we welcome, that they will take action to bring to justice perpetrators of all the killings and violence. My right hon. Friend has also met the 393W families of the four British nationals who were attacked during the violence, and raised their cases with the Government of India during his 29 May visit.