British MP Bob Blackman on Sunday reiterated his long-standing support for India’s position on Jammu and Kashmir, asserting that the entire Union Territory should be reunited with India and recalling that his call for the abrogation of Article 370 dates back more than three decades.
Speaking at a Hi-Tea Programme at the Constitutional Club in Jaipur, Blackman said his position on Jammu and Kashmir was not a recent development linked to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s decision in 2019, but one rooted in events of the early 1990s, particularly the exodus of Kashmiri Pandits from the Valley.
“I didn’t just call for the abrogation of Article 370 back when Prime Minister Modi put it in the manifesto and implemented it. I called for this back in 1992, when the Kashmiri Pandits had been forced out of Jammu and Kashmir,” Blackman said.
Recalling activism at the time, the British MP said efforts were made in the UK to highlight what he described as a grave injustice against the displaced community.
“We held a massive meeting at the time to say to people, this is wrong, this is unjust, that people were being forced out of their ancestral homes purely because of their religion and their background,” he said.
Blackman said he has consistently condemned terrorism in the region and criticised Pakistan’s control over parts of Jammu and Kashmir.
“Not only have I condemned the terrorism that takes place, but I also condemned the illegal occupation by Pakistan of parts of the princely state of Jammu and Kashmir,” he said.
Reiterating his core position, he added, “I’ve said from the word go, the whole of the princely state of Jammu and Kashmir should be reunited under the crown of India.” Blackman’s remarks echo his earlier statements made in July 2025, when he strongly condemned the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, that claimed 26 lives.
In a statement shared on X at the time, the Conservative MP said, “I remain appalled by the terrorist attack in Pahalgam a few months ago, which took 26 innocent lives.” “I’m relieved that peace has held, but the truce remains fragile. As India seeks deeper security ties with the West, I urged the Govt to stand with India against terrorism,” he mentioned.
Speaking in the UK Parliament, he had referred to India’s response to the attack, saying, “Similarly, we had the horrific terrorist attack in Pahalgam and India’s subsequent counter-terrorism action ‘Operation Sindoor’. I remain deeply appalled and saddened by the barbaric attack on the innocent tourists, which claimed the lives of 26 people.”
While welcoming a pause in hostilities between India and Pakistan, Blackman had cautioned against complacency.
“That truce is still very fragile and could return to war once again,” he said.
Highlighting Pakistan’s alleged role in cross-border terrorism, Blackman had stated, “As someone who has stood with the Kashmir Pandits and their right to return to Kashmir Valley and India’s sovereign right to defend its people and territory, it is outrageous that this terrorism, sponsored by Pakistan, continues in Jammu and Kashmir.”
During Operation Sindoor Global Outreach in June, Blackman also described Pakistan as a “failed state” and questioned its civil-military balance, saying, “So who’s in charge? Is it the democracy or the Generals? And it’s quite clear that terrorism is encouraged from Pakistan into sovereign India.” He had further called for international backing for India, stating, “So it is right that we call on this and make sure we stand in solidarity with India.” (NEWS 18)
