Lok Sabha Question No. 642 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-02-05
Subject: Statement against Article 370
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Imtiaz Jaleel Syed, Asaduddin Owaisi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.642

TO BE ANSWERED ON 05.02.2020

## STATEMENT AGAINST ARTICLE 370

642. SHRI SYED IMTIAZ JALEEL: SHRI ASADUDDIN OWAISI:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether many countries have given statement against the Citizen Amendment Act (CAA) and eradication of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir after nation-wide protest against it;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) the number of countries who have given statement and countered by India;
- (d) whether United Nations has also given statement opposing CAA which has not been opposed so far by the Government;
- (e) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;
- (f)   whether CAA has compelled the Government to change its foreign policy   especially   after   statement   given   by   many   countries   against CAA; and
- (g) if so, the details thereof and the response of the Government to those countries and future strategy chalked out by the Government to give response to such countries?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS [SHRI V MURALEEDHARAN]

(a) to (g) Government has briefed the members of the international community on the facts relating to Jammu & Kashmir and also shared perspectives on the Citizenship Amendment Act 2019.

As a result of Government's efforts, countries have shown understanding that matters related to Jammu & Kashmir, which is an integral part of India, are internal to India; and that Pakistan sponsored cross-border terrorism has been posing a grave threat and affecting the lives of the people of India, including in Jammu & Kashmir. Countries have called on Pakistan to not allow its territories to be used for terrorism in any manner.

There   is   also   appreciation   of   the   Indian   position   that   the   Citizenship Amendment Act 2019 is an affirmative action meant to address the long standing predicament of the vulnerable sections living in India; and that it does not impact

in any manner on the status of any citizen of India or deprive any Indian of any faith of her or his citizenship. These countries have expressed faith that Indian democratic practices and institutions are equipped to deal with issues that may arise in implementation of the decisions taken by the Indian Parliament.

Spokesperson for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights in a press briefing   note   on   13   December   2019   made   inaccurate   and   unwarranted references to the Citizenship Amendment Act 2019.  Government immediately registered its protest with the office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and clearly conveyed that the legislation is a humanitarian measure and is in line with India's international human rights obligations.

Government   completely   and   unequivocally   rejected   any   efforts   to internationalize   the   issues   which   are   internal   to   India,   in   particular   on   laws passed by the Parliament of a sovereign nation.

The Government has also taken note of some statements made by China, Malaysia and Turkey on the issue of Jammu & Kashmir. It has been conveyed that India expects these countries to not comment on the internal affairs of India; respect   India's   sovereignty   and   territorial   integrity;   and   develop   a   proper understanding of the issue.

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