Why Are EU MPs Visiting Kashmir When Indian MPs Aren’t Allowed?

How has the EU delegation been allowed to visit Kashmir when India’s Opposition leaders haven’t?

Tuesday, 29 October, marks nearly three months since the Indian government abrogated Article 370 of the Constitution and stripped Jammu and Kashmir of its special rights.

(Photo: The Quint)

Tuesday, 29 October, marks nearly three months since the Indian government abrogated Article 370 of the Constitution and stripped Jammu and Kashmir of its special rights.

Currently, a high-level foreign delegation, comprising 23 European Union MPs, is on a two-day visit to Kashmir to assess “the situation on the ground”.

The team originally comprised 27 parliamentarians, mostly from far-right or ultra-right wing parties, but four have reportedly returned to their respective countries.

All this comes in the backdrop of India's Opposition leaders being denied entry into Kashmir, or being barred at the Srinagar airport. Even a United States Senator was allegedly denied permission to visit Kashmir a couple of weeks back.

So, how has the EU delegation been allowed to visit Kashmir? What is expected to come out of this exercise? Who are these delegates and why is it important to know who they are? Tune in to The Big Story for more!