India’s all-party delegation led by BJP MP Ravi Shankar Prasad concluded the UK leg of their six-nation European tour with a meeting of the India All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) in the House of Lords in London.
Cross-party British parliamentarians affirmed the UK’s solidarity with India over its zero tolerance stance on terrorism emanating from Pakistan.
The all-party delegation was welcomed by India APPG President Baroness Sandy Verma, with the meeting co-chaired by Lord Karan Bilimoria and Labour MP Jeevun Sandher. Lord Bilimoria highlighted the unified cross-party support in both nations against terrorism, reflecting a positive meeting outcome and emphasised the potential for deeper India-UK collaboration in security, education, and the recently agreed FTA, strengthening bilateral ties.
He said: "I am very privileged to have chaired the meeting, hosting the cross-party delegation sent by PM Narendra Modi after the atrocities that took place in Kashmir. They came here; they explained to us very clearly what happened and what India's position is and there is a united stand.
“Cross-party in India, cross-party here in the UK... We are united against terrorism. We will not tolerate terrorism; we have to stop terrorism. It was a very positive meeting with the spirit of unanimous support.”
During a media interaction, the delegation delivered a strong message on the global threat of terrorism, highlighting Pakistan’s misuse of international funds to support terrorism and arms proliferation. The delegation also received widespread support from British parliamentarians, think tanks, and the Indian diaspora for India’s democratic unity and firm stance against terrorism.
Indian High Commissioner to the UK Vikram Doraiswami said: “I think there was a great deal of receptivity to the message. There is great sympathy and understanding in the UK for what India has gone through in terms of our long and painful journey with cross-border terrorism that has emanated from Pakistan-controlled territory and the state of Pakistan.
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“There is a great sense of understanding of the anger and hurt in India that this scourge just doesn’t go away… In the last decade and more, we see a steady evolution as our relationship has gained weight and traction and strategic dimensions, the UK’s approach to challenges that have long persisted in South Asia has been much more understanding of our concerns.”
Following the interaction, delegation leader Prasad reiterated the global concern over terrorism as a “cancer” and called for scrutiny of Pakistan’s use of international funds. He reflected on the three-day UK visit during which the delegation met with key UK figures, including Indo-Pacific Minister Catherine West, Speaker of the House of Commons Sir Lindsay Hoyle and Shadow Foreign Secretary Priti Patel, emphasising the need for international accountability on terrorism financing amidst appreciation for India’s democratic approach.
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From the UK, the delegation heads to Belgium for interactions with European Union (EU) ministers and officials to spread awareness over India’s counter-terrorism Operation Sindoor.
(*With ANI Inputs)