The delegation met Prime Minister Narendra Modi Monday and attended a lunch thrown by National Security Advisor Ajit Doval. An official statement issued after the delegation’s meeting with Modi said: “Their visit to Jammu and Kashmir should give the delegation a better understanding of the cultural and religious diversity of the region of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh.
The visit itself has sparked controversy with the EU office clarifying that the MEPs (Members of European Parliament) were in India in a personal capacity, not as an official EU delegation. The Ministry of External Aff airs (MEA) spokesperson also clarified that the “MEA is not involved and not coordinating the visit.” A united Opposition has nevertheless, cried foul.
INVITATIONS FROM AN NGO CALLED WESTT
The invitations to more than 30 MEPs went from Brussels-based British PIO (Person of Indian Origin) Madi Sharma who accompanied the delegation. She apparently runs a non-governmental organisation (NGO) called WESTT (Women’s Economic and Social Think Tank), although her link to the government and to the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) are unclear.
The invite promised the MEPs a “prestigious VIP meeting” with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and senior officials and a visit to Kashmir.
Brussels-based British PIO Sharma calls herself an ‘international business broker’. “Madi stands for Make a difference Ideas,” Sharma described herself in one of her TEDx Talks. Sharma is also a public speaker on gender justice, entrepreneurship and change.
She is listed as a member of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) in Brussels where she is mentioned as a “public speaker and expert in... female entrepreneurship.” The EESC calls itself an advisory body which acts as a bridge between the EU and civil society.
COMPOSITION OF THE DELEGATION
This story is from the November 4,2019 edition of News behind the News.
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This story is from the November 4,2019 edition of News behind the News.
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