BJP MP Ravi Shankar Prasad raises terrorism concerns in EU

An all-party delegation led by BJP MP Ravi Shankar Prasad highlighted concerns over the use of cross-border terrorism as a tool to destabilise progress in Kashmir and to incite communal tensions as it held a meeting with the Vice-President of the European Parliament in-charge of Asia here on Thursday.

The delegation, which arrived in Belgium from the United Kingdom on Tuesday, is one of the seven multi-party delegations India has tasked to visit 33 global capitals to reach out to the international community to emphasise Pakistan’s links to terrorism.

"All-Party Parliamentary delegation had a productive and constructive meeting with Ms. Christel Schaldemose, Vice-President of the European Parliament in-charge of Asia," the Embassy of India in Belgium & Luxembourg said in a post on X.

"A good opportunity to brief at senior parliamentary level the use of cross border terrorism as an instrument of state policy to disrupt progress in Kashmir and communalize the situation. Condemnation of heinous terrorist attack in Pahalgam and appreciation for India’s firm policy of zero-tolerance on terrorism," it said.

The delegation also interacted with media in Brussels and highlighted India’s decisive response to terrorism, the goals of Operation Sindoor, and the roadmap for a stronger India-EU partnership, including in combatting terrorism, the embassy said in another post.

On Wednesday, the delegation met members of the European Parliament, think tanks and Indian diaspora and reaffirmed India's "unwavering commitment" to combating cross-border terrorism. It also asserted that New Delhi stands united in its "resolve and action".

Besides Prasad, the delegation comprises Daggubati Purandeswari (BJP), Priyanka Chaturvedi (Shia Sena), Gulam All Khatana (BJP), Amar Singh (Congress), Samik Bhattacharya (BJP), M Thambidurai (AIADMIC), M J Akbar (BJP), and former diplomat Pankaj Saran.

Tensions between India and Pakistan escalated after the Pahalgam terror attack, with India carrying out precision strikes on terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir in the early hours of May 7.

Pakistan attempted to attack Indian military bases on May 8, 9, and 10. The Indian side responded strongly to the Pakistani actions.

The on-ground hostilities ended with an understanding of stopping the military actions following talks between the directors general of military operations of both sides on May 10.