The Indian parliamentary multi-party delegation group of 9 people reached the UK on June 1, led by BJP minister Ravi Shankar Prasad with other 6 MPs viz. Daggubati Purandeswari, Priyanka Chaturvedi, Ghulam Ali Khatana, Amar Singh, Samik Bhattacharya, M Thambidurai, former Union Minister of State MJ Akbar and former Ambassador Pankaj Saran.
Being part of the anti-terror diplomatic offense, Indian government generated 7 all party delegations and sent to 33 countries to not just spread the message of complete omission of terrorist attacks, Pakistan’s part in funding terror, Pahalgam attack initiated by Pakistani terrorists and Operation Sindoor, but also for diplomatically isolating and financially blacklisting Pakistan. Informed by top intelligence sources, the delegation intended to furnish verifiable evidence and contextual information regarding Lashkar's operational scope, its support network within Pakistan, and its sustained threat to regional and international peace and security.
After a floral tribute at Gandhi statue and visiting Dr B R Ambedkar’s house in north west London, the delegation addressed hundreds of diaspora at India House and conducted a meeting with the Shadow Foreign Secretary Priti Patel, Indo-Pacific Minister Catherine West, Co-Chair of Conservative party, Lord Dominic Johnson of Lainston CBE and Co-Chair of Conservative Friends of India, Koolesh Shah at the Conservative Campaign HQ. They also met the UK Minister for Citizenship and Migration and Minister of Equalities, Seema Malhotra MP at the Parliament.
Diplomacy and legacy
The delegation group hosted by the High Commission of India, after reaching the UK visited the Ambedkar Museum, to pay homage to the Indian Constitution builder Dr B R Ambedkar on the 75-year celebration of the enforcement of the Indian Constitution. During the earnest moment, one of the most atrocious attempts of Pakistan funded terrorism- the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, got remembered. Furthermore, the group also visited Tavistock Square to pay floral tribute to Gandhiji’s statue, where they talked about Gandhi's ideology. BJP MP Ravi Shankar Prasad reportedly said, Mahatma Gandhi's principle of non-violence is more relevant today given the terrorism being sponsored from across the border by Pakistan.
Their tributes to the founding fathers of India were followed by being received by His Excellency Vikram Doraiswami the High Commissioner of India to the UK at India House in London, where hundreds of community leaders and members from the diaspora had assembled to support the delegation, waving tricolours and loudly chanting 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai'.
According to a report by The Hindu, Mr Prasad said, "You have great regard for your motherland. The assurance to all of you is that India is strong, resurgent and will take care of Pakistan and terrorism, but you convey our message here and globally, too — terrorists must be made to pay the cost."
The evening opened with the Indian National Anthem and was full of applause and chants praising the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
"The delegation here belongs to different parties with different ideologies, but when it comes to the interest of our country, we all stand here united, not belonging to different parties but as Indians," reportedly said BJP MP Daggubati Purandeswari.
Former Deputy National Security Adviser Pankaj Saran said, "Operation Sindoor was a political directive of the Indian government, of the Indian Prime Minister, and I want to share with you that it was a 100% success.”
The High Commissioner added that terrorism needs to be treated as a global issue and not a problem limited to India.
Khalistani groups attempted to stage a protest at the Indian High Commission in London. Upon being refused entry to the building, the demonstrators proceeded to Trafalgar Square, unfurling Khalistani flags and banners.
A senior intelligence source reportedly said, “This is a clear attempt by Pakistan to change the narrative. With international pressure mounting over its links to terror, the ISI is using proxy elements to disrupt diplomatic efforts and mislead public perception," mentioning it as a “desperate attempt by Pakistan’s ISI” for distract the public from exposing their connection with terrorist groups.
Despite these challenges, the Indian delegation's outreach resonated strongly with the global Indian diaspora, reflecting both a united front against terrorism and heightened awareness regarding extremist networks operating under state patronage from Pakistan.
Meeting with Secretary and Ministers
After addressing the gathering, the delegation met with the UK Shadow Foreign Secretary, Priti Patel MP, where they emphasised on India's strong stance about cross-border terrorism, showcasing Operation Sindoor as a paradigm shift in its counter-terrorism strategy.
The Indian High Commission in the UK, posted a photo of the delegate group on X along with Patel saying, "The All-Party Parliamentary Delegation met with Shadow Foreign Secretary @pritipatel and her team to share India's firm resolve in combating cross-border terrorism. They also highlighted how #OperationSindoor exemplifies the new normal set by India in this ongoing effort.".
The delegation also interacted with Indo-Pacific Minister, Catherine West at the Foreign Commonwealth and Developments Office, where they reaffirmed their strong stance regarding the matter of anti-terrorism. The delegate group met with the Co-chair of Conservative party Lord Dominic Johnson of Lainston CBE and the new Co-chair of Conservative Friends of India, Koolesh Shah at the Conservative Campaign HQ as well. They met with Labour Party India Friendship Groups-including Labour Friends of India, Labour Convention of Indian Organisations, Sikhs for Labour, and Hindus for Labour. A separate meeting with Seema Malhotra MP, UK Minister for Migration and Citizenship and Minister of Equalities, at the Parliament to provide briefing on #OperationSindoor.
MP Bob Blackman voiced serious concerns over the misuse of the UK’s international aid to Pakistan during a All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG)-India meeting in London. He questioned whether funds intended for Pakistan’s development were instead being diverted to acquire Chinese-made weapons, potentially used to support terrorism against India. Prominent leaders, including House of Lords member Lord Karan Bilimoria and former UK MP Shailesh Vara, also voiced strong, cross-party support in the UK for India’s Operation Sindoor.
There was also an interaction with UK-based think tanks, discussing the threat of cross-border terrorism and how Operation Sindoor sets a new strategic benchmark in India's fight against it. A dinner was organised with thought leaders of the UK discussing scourge of terrorism, the social impact and the connected rise of radicalisation. On 3 June, they met key members of the community at India House. From the UK, the delegation will head for discussions and meetings with a cross-section of parliamentarians, political leaders and diaspora groups in the EU and Germany.
