Indian Member of Parliament (MP) Priyanka Chaturvedi has called for an official investigation into the visit of US Congresswoman Ilhan Omar to Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) in 2022. Chaturvedi’s statement comes in response to Omar’s recent remarks concerning India’s alleged involvement in the assassination of Sikh separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada.
Ilhan Omar, known for her critical stance on India-related issues, voiced her support for a Canadian investigation into India’s alleged role in Nijjar’s killing. She also requested a briefing on whether similar operations were conducted in the United States.
In a strong retort, Chaturvedi took to Twitter, stating, “Sit down Madam Representative. Such being the case, as an Indian Parliamentarian, I urge @MEAIndia to start an enquiry into how an elected representative in the USA is interfering in the peace of Jammu & Kashmir via a Pakistan-funded PoK visit.”
Chaturvedi’s call for an investigation is based on the revelation that Ilhan Omar’s 2022 visit to Pakistan, which included meetings with Pakistani politicians Shehbaz Sharif and Imran Khan, as well as a visit to Muzaffarabad in PoK, was sponsored by the Pakistani government. This sponsorship reportedly covered her lodging and food expenses during the trip. The visit was widely criticized by India, which labeled it as “narrow-minded politics.”
Moreover, Ilhan Omar was among those who boycotted Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s speech during his historic state visit to the United States.
The controversy surrounding Ilhan Omar’s visit is not the only diplomatic issue stirring tensions. Recently, US Ambassador to Pakistan Donald Blome made a private visit to Gilgit Baltistan in PoK, sparking fresh concerns. In response to this visit, US Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti drew a comparison with American delegates visiting Kashmir during G20 meetings.
Amidst the India-Canada row triggered by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s allegations of Indian involvement in Nijjar’s killing, the United States has called for a thorough investigation and urged India to cooperate. India, however, has firmly rejected these allegations and maintained that no specific information was shared by the Canadian government regarding the case.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, scheduled to meet with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Washington, reiterated India’s stance, emphasizing that the allegations did not align with India’s policies.
News Summary:
- Indian MP Priyanka Chaturvedi has called for an investigation into US Congresswoman Ilhan Omar’s visit to Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) in 2022, which was reportedly sponsored by the Pakistani government.
- Chaturvedi’s call for an investigation comes in response to Omar’s comments supporting a Canadian investigation into India’s alleged role in the assassination of Sikh separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
- The controversy surrounding Omar’s visit adds to diplomatic tensions amidst the India-Canada row over Nijjar’s killing, with the United States urging a probe while India firmly rejects the allegations.
- In addition, recent private visits by US ambassadors to Pakistan’s PoK and American delegates visiting Kashmir during G20 meetings have further escalated diplomatic concerns.
