During an official visit to the United Kingdom, an Indian all-party parliamentary delegation led by BJP MP Ravi Shankar Prasad made a strong statement on terrorism, asserting that in Pakistan, terror outfits and the state machinery operate hand-in-hand.
Speaking at India House in London to a packed hall of Indian diaspora members, Prasad emphasized India’s unwavering stand against terrorism. He highlighted the significance of Operation Sindoor, launched in response to the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, calling it a demonstration of India’s policy of zero tolerance.
The delegation explained that the Pahalgam attack was a deliberate attempt to disrupt peace and development in the region. “India is in favour of peace, but terrorists will have to pay the price for killing innocent Indians. Every terror incident will be seen as a war,” Prasad declared.
Referring to human rights violations in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) and Balochistan, Prasad said, “People in PoK are crying to come to India. Women in Balochistan face barbaric treatment. People in Pakistan are deeply distressed.”
The parliamentarians reiterated that India’s national security policies remain firm and uncompromising. The interaction also served to brief diaspora members on India’s counterterrorism strategy and gather support from the overseas Indian community.
Taking to social media after the event, Prasad posted, “We conveyed India’s unwavering stance against terrorism, shedding light on the tragic Pahalgam attack. We emphasized India’s united resolve to counter terrorism with utmost seriousness.”
The diaspora members in London praised Operation Sindoor and the government’s efforts under Prime Minister Narendra Modi to combat cross-border terrorism.
Other members of the delegation included BJP MPs Daggubati Purandeswari and Samik Bhattacharya; Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi; Congress MPs Gulam Ali Khatana and Amar Singh; former Union Minister M.J. Akbar; and former diplomat Pankaj Saran.
The visit to London is part of a broader diplomatic outreach by India, following stops in France, Italy, and Denmark, aimed at raising global awareness about Pakistan-sponsored terrorism and India’s measures to confront it.
While in London, the delegation also paid floral tributes at Mahatma Gandhi’s statue in Tavistock Square and visited the Dr B.R. Ambedkar Museum, where they honoured the legacy of the revered social reformer. Prasad noted the Indian government’s efforts to preserve key sites associated with Dr Ambedkar as national heritage symbols.
