UK Member of Parliament for Leicester East, Shivani Raja, expressed strong support for India’s efforts in combating terrorism during a meeting with the Indian all-party parliamentary delegation in London. Calling the discussion a “positive meeting,” Raja emphasized the importance of global cooperation in tackling terrorism and commended India’s response to recent terror attacks.
Speaking to ANI after a roundtable hosted by the Conservative Friends of India at the Conservative Party Headquarters, Raja said, “We look forward to working with India and supporting them in their endeavours to combat terrorism.” She praised the delegation, led by BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad, for their diplomatic outreach following the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack.
Raja reiterated the UK’s stance against terrorism, highlighting that the UK Shadow Foreign Secretary Priti Patel swiftly condemned the Pahalgam attack. “Whether it be in Pahalgam or anywhere else in the world, the UK has always condemned terrorism,” she noted. “As global citizens, we all have a responsibility to call out terrorism whenever we see it.”
Acknowledging India’s swift and firm response through Operation Sindoor, Raja said, “India is doing a fantastic job responding to terrorist attacks. The UK and other countries must also stand up and consistently condemn terrorism.”
Raja also welcomed the India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA), expressing hope that the growing economic partnership will further strengthen bilateral ties. “We have such a rich and vibrant British-Indian diaspora here. Seeing that relationship blossom under the FTA is something I am genuinely excited about,” she said.
The delegation’s UK visit included a meeting with Conservative Party Co-Chair Lord Dominic Johnson of Lainston and Conservative Friends of India Co-Chair Koolesh Shah. Discussions emphasized the importance of Operation Sindoor as a model for firm and decisive responses to cross-border terrorism.
The Indian delegation, comprising leaders from multiple political parties—including BJP MP Daggubati Purandeswari, Congress MPs Ghulam Ali Khatana and Amar Singh, Shiv Sena MP Priyanka Chaturvedi, former Union Minister MJ Akbar, and ex-Ambassador Pankaj Saran—is on a mission to counter global misinformation and build international support for India’s anti-terrorism stance.
Operation Sindoor, launched on May 7, was India’s military response to the April 22 attack in Pahalgam. Indian forces targeted terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, eliminating over 100 terrorists from groups like Jaish-e-Mohammed, Lashkar-e-Taiba, and Hizbul Mujahideen.
The UK meeting highlighted a growing consensus on the need for united global action against terrorism, and reinforced the importance of international solidarity with India in this critical fight.
