What Happened When Ravi Shankar Prasad Met UK's Shadow Foreign Secretary Priti Patel?

London, June 2 (NationPress) An all-party Indian Parliamentary delegation, spearheaded by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Ravi Shankar Prasad, conducted a meeting with the UK's Shadow Foreign Secretary Priti Patel and her team. The discussion focused on India's staunch commitment to tackling cross-border terrorism and showcased how Operation Sindoor exemplifies India's new approach in countering terrorism.

On Sunday evening, the Indian Embassy in London posted on social media platform X, stating, "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 embassy further detailed that the delegation received a briefing from Indian High Commissioner to the UK, Vikram Doraiswami, on the state of India-UK relations and collaborative efforts against terrorism. They also visited the Ambedkar Museum to honor Dr. B.R. Ambedkar on the 75th anniversary of the Indian Constitution's enactment. During this poignant moment, the delegation reflected on the tragic 26/11 Mumbai attacks that were orchestrated by Pakistan on November 26, 2008, coinciding with the Constitution's adoption in 1949.

Additionally, the Indian Embassy released a statement indicating, "The delegation subsequently visited Tavistock Square Gardens to lay floral tributes at Mahatma Gandhi's statue. In honoring Gandhiji's legacy, they reaffirmed his belief that 'there being no absolute and universal standard of right, terrorism must be held to be wrong in every case.'"

In the evening, the All-Party Delegation engaged with members from the diverse Indian diaspora at India House. They reiterated India’s united stance and unwavering commitment to fight terrorism in all forms, emphasizing India's readiness to respond decisively to terrorist acts, underscoring the nation's policy of zero tolerance towards such threats, as stated in the press release.

The delegation, led by Ravi Shankar Prasad, comprised BJP MPs: Daggubati Purandeswari, Samik Bhattacharya, Ghulam Ali Khatana, along with Congress MP Amar Singh, former Union Minister MJ Akbar, former Ambassador Pankaj Saran, and M. Thambidurai from AIADMK. They arrived in London on May 31.

Earlier on Sunday evening, the Indian Embassy in London shared another post on X: "The All Party Delegation of MPs interacted with representatives of the large and diverse Indian Diaspora at India House in London today. They reaffirmed India's united stance and unwavering commitment to combating terrorism in all its forms, and underlined the readiness of India to continue to decisively punish any and all acts of terror. #OperationSindoor."

BJP MP Ravi Shankar Prasad also expressed on X, "Along with my esteemed colleagues from the all-party delegation, I had the privilege of visiting the Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Museum in London, where we paid heartfelt tributes to the revered Dr. Ambedkar. We feel honoured to be in this historic house, where Dr. Ambedkar resided for two years. The Indian government has acquired and preserved this significant residence, which is now maintained by the Indian High Commission. By offering flowers, we paid our respects to this great Indian leader and revered reformer. It's noteworthy that all five sites associated with Dr. Ambedkar's life and work are preserved as 'Smriti Sthal', reflecting his enduring legacy. I extend my deepest respects to his remarkable contributions. Furthermore, we reaffirmed Indian democracy's unwavering commitment to combating terrorism in all its forms."

"Accompanied by my colleagues from the all-party delegation, I paid floral tributes to Mahatma Gandhi's statue at Tavistock Square Gardens in central London," BJP MP Prasad stated.

"At the Ambedkar Museum in London, we paid heartfelt tribute to Dr. B.R. Ambedkar -- the architect of the Indian Constitution -- on its 75th anniversary. Honouring his enduring legacy of justice, equality, and democracy, and reaffirming our democratic resolve to stand united against terrorism," said Gulam Ali Khatana, another delegation member, on X.

"Babasaheb Ambedkar was a visionary who rose above religion. He recognised casteism in India as a social reality and dedicated his life to ensuring that every citizen received their rights. His commitment to the country, particularly during the framing of the Indian Constitution in the Constituent Assembly, is well known...." stated Samik Bhattacharya while speaking to IANS.