LONDON: Bob Blackman, Conservative MP from Harrow East expressed “strong support” to revocation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir.

He said “I strongly support the revocation of Article 370. Jammu and Kashmir has always been an integral part of India and Article 370 has always been anomaly: it has held the area back by starving it of investment, through the prevention of external ownership of land”.

“Kashmiri Pandits must be guaranteed right of return after they were the victims of ethnic cleansing and this move should prevent any other minority groups being forced to leave the Kashmir Valley,” he added.

Blackman, who has supported Modi during his tenure as the chief minister of Gujarat and subsequently as prime minister, has often defended India’s official position on sensitive issues such as Jammu and Kashmir in the British parliament.

He said, “The valley provides excellent opportunities for agricultural and cultural handicraft exports, the development of hydro-electric power and tourism. Most important, however, is clearing the area of terrorists – high security is paramount”.

“Narendra Modi has again shown proper and strong leadership in honouring the manifesto of the BJP – now is the time to properly integrate Jammu and Kashmir into the Indian constitution.”