Friday, July 7 2006 11:11 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Brussels: As its relationship with India deepens, the European Union (EU) is cool to the propaganda of the pro-Pakistan lobby in this Belgian capital about alleged human rights violations in Jammu and Kashmir.

Gleaming billboards flashing striking visuals of hands thrown in despair, with words such as 'Help Kashmir: Demilitarization, Human Rights,' stare at commuters at most metro stations in Brussels that is home to key EU institutions.

The Kashmir Centre, an NGO funded by the International Council for Human Rights, has put up these posters to cash in on the European sensitivity to rights violations to dent the growing profile of India in Europe.

Most scandalously, the posters advertise the website kashmircentreeu.org - a gratuitous reference to EU, according to senior EU officials.

"We have nothing to do with it. We are aware of these posters and the website and asked them to delete any reference to the EU in their website," a senior EU official told IANS here. The official also recalled how some lobbyists tried very hard to put Kashmir on the joint action plan that was launched at the India-EU summit in New Delhi last year.

"They tried very hard but they didn't succeed. Kashmir is not an issue between India and EU," said the official who did not wish to be named.

"Besides, the EU's relationship with India is growing in every sphere, be it political, economic or cultural. A freak website like this can't be allowed to impinge on this relationship," the official added.

When the posters were pointed to an Indian diplomat, he chose to tactfully ignore, saying he did not want to give "free publicity to anti-India elements". He, however, said the issue would be taken up with Belgian authorities soon.

The 'Help Kashmir' posters, however, highlight the role of lobbying in the seat of the EU. According to an estimate, there are over 20,000 lobbyists in this mid-size European city pitching for a hundred causes and clients.

The pro-Pakistan lobby, said an EU official, is highly organized and focused. His advice to India: Catch up with the lobbying game as it helps - at times.

"EU and India need to go in for intensive engagement. India is the flavour of the season in Europe and it should not allow its image to be dented by lobbyists," he added.

An EU delegation led by Baroness Nicholson, member of the European Parliament and rapporteur, visited Jammu and Kashmir last month on a fact-finding mission but refused to meet any separatist group.

The foreign affairs committee of the European Parliament is preparing an initiative report on earthquake rehabilitation in Kashmir - the first draft of which is likely to be tabled later this month.

The debate on the situation in Kashmir is likely to take place in the European Parliament around September.