The Indian government withdrew its invitation to Chris Davies, Member of the European Parliament (MEP) for North West England to visit Indian-occupied Kashmir (IoK) after the MEP refused to be accompanied by military and security forces.
Davies was a part of the group of EU MPs who were invited to visit IoK to see the situation on the ground. The MEP told India Today that on October 8, he told Women’s Economic and Social Think Tank that he was happy to accept the invitation on the condition that during his time in Kashmir, 'he would be free to go wherever he wish, and talk to whoever he wish, unaccompanied by military, police or security forces but accompanied by journalists'.
"I am not prepared to take part in a PR stunt for the Modi government and pretend that all is well,” he said in a statement. Davies said that it is very clear that democratic principles are being subverted in Kashmir and the world needs to start taking notice.
https://www.brecorder.com/2019/10/29/539121/eu-delegation-to-tour-iok-on-a-personal-visit-mostly-consists-of-far-right-and-islamophobic-politicians/
“What is it that the Indian government has to hide. Why will it not give journalists and visiting politicians free access to speak with local people," the MEP asked.
On Tuesday, a 28 member delegation of the EU visited IoK in a personal capacity and not as an official EU delegation. The delegation included members of the nationalist, anti-immigration and eurosceptic Alternative for Germany party, France’s National Rally, the Brexit Party and Poland’s Law and Justice.