SWITZERLAND: Members of the European Parliament have backed PM Narendra Modi ’s efforts in defeating cross-border terrorism, and rejected Pakistan’s narrative on the Kashmir issue following the Indian government’s move to abrogate Article 370 of the Constitution.

The discussion in this regard took place at an event held at Geneva Press Club on Monday to discuss and assess the situation in Kashmir after the abrogation of Article 370. Gianna Gancia, a member of the European Parliament, criticised Pakistan for portraying a picture of crisis in Kashmir on the international platforms.

Nathan Gill, a former member of the European Parliament and member of the Brexit party of Britain said, “What right has Pakistan to discuss the internal affairs of India on International fora? No one makes hue and cry when France fights radical terrorism but creates so much panic and tension when India does something which is solely and wholly an internal matter of India.”

Tehmeena Syed, a women rights’ activist from Kashmir said, “I’m coming from a world which is known as paradise.” She added that this “paradise” was destroyed by the insurgencies, and “the abrogation of Article 370 was undeniable need of the hour to get rid of cross-border terrorism and insurgencies in Kashmir”. Brian Toll, expert on South Asia from European Commission and Paulo Casaca, executive director, South Asia Democratic Forum, said after the decades of ongoing instability and terrorist incidents in J&K, the Indian government abrogated Article 370 to bring peace and prosperity in the region. President of Gilgit Baltistan Studies, Senge Sering, supported India’s decision on acting against the factors that destabilise Jammu and Kashmir.

