§ 14. Mr. DoranTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he last met the High Commissioner for India to discuss the security situation there. [69590]
§ Mr. StrawI last met the High Commissioner on 30 June.
I visited India and Pakistan on 18–20 July. After my meetings I said that we welcomed the steps taken by Pakistan to stop cross-border infiltration and Indian de-escalatory measures, but we remained deeply concerned about the military mobilisation on both sides of the border I stressed the need for a permanent end to cross-border infiltration and the importance of the forthcoming Jammu & Kashmir elections being free, fair and inclusive. We will continue to work with our international partners to encourage India and Pakistan to find ways to return to productive dialogue on all the outstanding issues between them, including Kashmir.
The House should also know that I published revised travel advice yesterday which, because of the reduced tension between India and Pakistan, no longer advises British citizens to avoid travelling to India or those already in India to consider leaving. I have modified the travel advice for Pakistan, but this has to take account of the continuing internal terrorist threat.