Jane Marriott, the British High Commissioner to Islamabad, has been copping widespread criticism in India for paying a visit to Mirpur, located in Pakistan-administered Kashmir, a region disputed by India.
In a social media post on Thursday evening, the British High Commissioner described Mirpur as the "heart of people-to-people ties" between Pakistan and the UK.
"Seventy percent of British Pakistani roots are from Mirpur, making our work together crucial for diaspora interests." Marriott remarked.
Uproar on Social Media Over British Envoy's Visit
The British envoy's visit didn't go down well with many Indian social media users, who described the trip as "shameful".
British Envoy's Visit to Pakistan-Administered Kashmir Riles up Indians
© Photo
British Envoy's Visit to Pakistan-Administered Kashmir Riles up Indians
© Photo
Another user referred to the American Ambassador to Pakistan's last October's visit to the region, as he accused both the western powers of "hypocrisy" vis-a-vis their dealings with New Delhi.
The visit by the American Ambassador sparked a diplomatic reation from New Delhi.
"We have conveyed our objections to the visit," Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) then-spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said at the time.
The region falling under 'Pakistan-occupied Kashmir' has been under Islamabad's control since 1948, after Pakistan-backed militants overran large parts of Jammu and Kashmir region after the then-ruler Maharaja Hari Singh formally acceded to India.
New Delhi dispatched its forces to counter the aggression, with the current Line of Control (LoC) being the ceasefire line of the conflict.
The Kashmir issue has remained the primary bone of contention between the two subcontinental neighbours since Independence.
However, there is a widespread sentiment in both India and Pakistan that the Partition of the Subcontinent by the British colonial authorities is the root cause of current tensions.