India reacts to US Congresswoman visiting Pakistan Occupied Kashmir; Ilhan Omar talks J&K with Sharif

An American legislator's visit to Indian territory occupied by Pakistan led to sharp reactions from Delhi. Ilhan Omar, who is member of the US House of Representatives, is currently touring Pakistan, and was slated to visit Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir.

Arindam Bagchi, spokesperson of the Indian Ministry of External Affairs said, "She visited a part of J&K currently illegally occupied by Pakistan. If such a politician wishes to practice her narrow-minded politics at home, that's her business. But violating our territorial integrity and sovereignty in its pursuit, makes this ours. This visit is condemnable."

She was seen meeting recently-installed PM Shehbaz Sharif, and also his unceremoniously-ousted predecessor Imran Khan. Ilhan Omar's discussion on Jammu and Kashmir with Pakistani PM Sharif raised eyebrows in India.

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The Pakistani government said that Sharif raised the "serious human rights situation" in Kashmir, and stressed on the importance of "peaceful resolution" of the dispute.

India has continuously stressed that the Kashmir issue is a bilateral one between Delhi and Islamabad, with no room for external players. In 2019, Ilhan Omar had criticised the Indian authorities following the scrapping of Jammu and Kashmir's special status.