British MP Bob Blackman Introduces Motion Reaffirming India’s Sovereignty Over J&K

News 18 - British Conservative MP Bob Blackman, representing Harrow East, introduced an Early Day Motion in the UK House of Commons on Monday, coinciding with Jammu and Kashmir Accession Day.

The motion explicitly reaffirms the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of India over the State of Jammu and Kashmir.

The motion, tabled in Parliament by Blackman, was also signed by Jim Shannon, a Member of Parliament from the Democratic Unionist Party. It marks a notable gesture in support of India’s position on the region and highlights the historical accession of Jammu and Kashmir to India on October 26, 1947.

According to the text of the motion, the House of Commons “notes the continued observance on 26 October of Jammu and Kashmir Accession Day by residents of the United Kingdom of Jammu and Kashmiri heritage."

It records that the Instrument of Accession was executed by Maharaja Hari Singh in 1947, and it reaffirms India’s sovereignty and territorial integrity over the state.

The motion also expresses sympathy for civilians killed or injured in acts of terror in Jammu and Kashmir, including victims of the Pahalgam attack, and recognises the importance of the day for communities who mark it as the constitutional accession of Jammu and Kashmir into India.

Further, the motion welcomes peaceful commemorations in the UK that promote historical understanding, cultural exchange, and civic participation. It encourages constructive dialogue, community cohesion, and respect for international norms and sovereign boundaries in discussions about Jammu and Kashmir.