In yet another attempt to create distance between himself and the previous Labour party leadership, Keir Starmer has abruptly changed the party’s stance on Kashmir.
Starmer, who became Labour leader early last month, told a Labour Friends of India (LFIN) meeting on April 30 that Kashmir is a “bilateral” issue for India and Pakistan to resolve at an inter-state level.
Starmer also stated that such “divisive” foreign issues should “not be allowed” to divide communities in the UK.
Starmer’s statement is a clear – indeed dramatic - shift away from Labour’s longstanding policy of criticizing India’s occupation of Kashmir and the widespread human rights abuses associated with that occupation.
This abrupt change in policy has drawn a sharp rebuke from existing and former Labour party members and supporters who are concerned about their party’s inexorable shift to the right under Starmer’s leadership.
A well-known author tried to raise awareness of the fact that the change in the party’s position has come in the wake of India’s abrogation of Article 370 of the Indian constitution which guaranteed Jammu and Kashmir’s special status.
If you are a Labour member (or voter) who is concerned about today's developments, I strongly suggest you write to Keir Starmer politely calling for his *legal* opinion on the matter of the unilateral abrogation of Kashmir's special status, Article 370. Seriously, do it.
— Priyamvada Gopal (@PriyamvadaGopal) April 30, 2020
An influential young labour activist has interpreted Starmer’s statement as giving succor to India’s hard-right Hindu nationalist government led by Prime Minister, Narendra Modi.
I am livid. This is an *unacceptable* change in Labour Conference policy from Keir Starmer and it must—must—be reversed.
— Umaar Kazmi 🔻 (@UmaarKazmi) April 30, 2020
This is tantamount to giving Modi the green light to continue his brutal assault and human rights violations against the people of Kashmir. It cannot stand. https://t.co/NbfzYJV9DG
Meanwhile, human rights activists worry that the shift towards India indicates that the Labour party has effectively abandoned its traditional robust defense of human rights values.
I'm appalled at Keir Starmer calling Kashmir a "constitutional issue" for India.
— Alex Tiffin (@RespectIsVital) April 30, 2020
What message does this send to Muslims? Kashmiris have had their human rights swept away by Modi's Government.
It's not about a constitution, it's about basic Human Rights.
I'm out, good luck.
More broadly, Labour party supporters past and present will be concerned about the determined outreach to India and what that will entail for the party’s positioning in British politics.
These fears are exacerbated by Starmer’s long-term vision of a strategic UK pivot towards India.
"A Labour government under my leadership will be determined to build even stronger business links with India and to cooperate on the global stage on issues such as climate change", Starmer said in his statement after the meeting with the LFIN in London.