Replying at the end of a three hour debate on the political and humanitarian situation in Kashmir, Tobias Ellwood MP, Junior Minister in the Foreign Office, said: “Talks between India and Pakistan can only take place free from terrorism and violence.” He reiterated there would be ‘no mediation’ by Britain in respect of the differences between India and Pakistan over Kashmir.

John Spellar MP, Labour Party’s Shadow Minister for Foreign and Commonwealth Office, stated that the Labour Party’s stand on the Kashmir issue was that it required no interference from the British Government unless it was officially asked to do so. The matter of disputed Kashmir was for the Indian and Pakistan Governments to negotiate without any outside interference.

Unlike past debates on Kashmir in the British Parliament, the crowded public gallery appeared to be equally divided between Indians and Pakistanis. Rumblings of discontent were often heard from a section of the audience every time a speaker took up cudgels for India and correspondingly clapping from another segment, which were frequent as the strength of solidarity with India was unprecedented.

As the British MPs' held the debate, the Indian Government expressed its anger and displeasure over UK Parliamentarians holding such a debate. India has construed the move as an attempt to criticise India’s role in Kashmir, even putting a question mark on its sovereignty over the region. Speaking at an event to mark the 125th birth anniversary of the Indian freedom fighter Sarat Bose, the Deputy High Commissioner for India in the UK, Dr Virander Paul, surprised his audience by stating: "From time to time, we find that there are certain tendencies in certain sections of the society, which are not in the interest of our strong relations.". He cautioned: "We need to watch out and be mindful of any such efforts." While the Deputy High Commissioner for India in the UK made no reference to the upcoming debate, his remarks were apparently aimed at the senior Conservative/Liberal Democrats Coalition Government Cabinet Minister- Dr Vince Cable who was present at the function. The Indian High Commission has, however, launched a diplomatic offensive by highlighting to British MPs that it is a widely recognised fact and clearly recorded internationally that infiltration of terrorists into Jammu and Kashmir is aided and abetted by Pakistan, including use of cover fire and other military actions on the border. It is necessary that no encouragement should be given to the proponents of terrorism and jihadi elements which are being sent into India to create mayhem. India has always considered any debate on Kashmir by British parliamentarians as interference in India's internal affairs.