Will India and the UK Address Cross-Border Terrorism During PM Modi's Visit?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- PM Modi's visit to the UK focuses on cross-border terrorism.
- The US has designated TRF as a Foreign Terrorist Organisation.
- India emphasizes global cooperation in combating terrorism.
- TRF's involvement in the Pahalgam attack highlights the need for decisive action.
- India's zero tolerance towards terrorism remains a priority.
New Delhi, July 22 (NationPress) Emphasizing the recent US decision to officially classify The Resistance Front (TRF) — a proxy of the Pakistan-based terrorist group Lashkar-e-Tayyiba (LeT) — as a Foreign Terrorist Organisation (FTO) and a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT), Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri remarked on Tuesday that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's upcoming visit to the United Kingdom, starting Wednesday, will also present India with a chance to discuss matters concerning cross-border terrorism and the necessity of addressing such challenges decisively.
The TRF has been implicated in various terrorist activities, including the atrocious assault on civilians in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam on April 22 this year, for which it has claimed responsibility on two occasions.
“Regarding the TRF's involvement in Pahalgam, you are already aware of the latest developments. The United States State Department has recently marked the TRF as a foreign terrorist entity and a Specially Designated Global Terrorist, functioning as a proxy for the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba. I am confident that our UK counterparts are informed about this situation, but this will provide us with the opportunity to exchange further insights on cross-border terrorism and the imperative to respond resolutely to such threats,” stated Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri during a special media briefing in New Delhi ahead of PM Modi's two-nation tour.
Recently, while announcing the TRF’s designation as a terrorist group, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio mentioned that this action “demonstrates the Trump Administration’s commitment to safeguarding our national security interests, countering terrorism, and implementing President Trump’s call for justice for the Pahalgam attack.”
“The TRF, acting as a front for Lashkar-e-Tayyiba (LeT), claimed responsibility for the April 22, 2025, Pahalgam attack, resulting in the deaths of 26 civilians. This marked the most severe attack on civilians in India since the 2008 Mumbai attacks carried out by LeT,” he stated.
India welcomed Washington's decision, deeming it a “timely and significant step” that underscores the robust cooperation between India and the United States in the fight against terrorism.
In a post on X, External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar expressed, “This is a strong affirmation of India-US counter-terrorism collaboration. I appreciate Secretary Rubio and the US State Department for designating TRF — a Lashkar-e-Tayyiba (LeT) proxy — as a Foreign Terrorist Organisation (FTO) and Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT). It claimed responsibility for the April 22 Pahalgam attack. India maintains a zero tolerance policy towards terrorism.”
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) reiterated India's steadfast commitment to advocating for global collaboration in the battle against terrorism and the dismantling of terror networks. Emphasizing its zero-tolerance stance toward terrorism, New Delhi has pledged to continue collaborating closely with its international partners to ensure that terrorist entities and their proxies are brought to justice.