Is Shabana Mahmood anti-India? UK’s first Pakistani-origin Home Secretary under Kashmir scrutiny

Shabana Mahmood has been named the United Kingdom’s Home Secretary, becoming the first woman who is a Muslim to hold the post and coming from Pakistani origins. Since her appointment, attention has focused on her positions on Kashmir, the abrogation of Article 370, and Israel’s war in Gaza.

Observers note a reputation for taking a tough line on illegal migration as part of her record. Her remarks on Kashmir are perceived as anti-India in parts of South Asia, prompting scrutiny from analysts and observers concerned with regional tensions. Born in Birmingham in 1980 to parents from Mirpur in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, Mahmood studied law at Lincoln College, Oxford, and began her career as a barrister before entering politics.

She has held key roles in both the shadow Cabinet and government and has served as the Member of Parliament for Birmingham Ladywood since 2010.