BJP MP Urges Indian Diaspora in France to Promote Brand India Against Terrorism

Paris, May 27 (PTI): BJP MP Ravi Shankar Prasad urged the Indian community in France to actively promote Brand India as a symbol of peace in its battle against global terrorism. Addressing a gathering of Indian diaspora leaders in Paris on Monday evening, Prasad, heading an all-party delegation, highlighted the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam as an attempt to destabilize peace and progress in Jammu and Kashmir.

Following the attack, India launched Operation Sindoor, a "precise, targeted, proportionate, and non-escalatory" response aimed at Pakistan-backed terrorist camps. "When I see the growth of India, I am very proud of all of you because you are the brand ambassadors of the country," Prasad said. He further emphasized the need for showcasing India’s commitment to peace and amity, while asserting that "innocent Indians killed by terrorists will have to pay a cost."

Prasad reiterated that any act of terrorism will be treated as an act of war. "In Pakistan, terrorism and the government establishment are together," he remarked. Addressing concerns related to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's comments on the era of war, Prasad stated, "This is not the era of terrorism either. Terrorism is a global curse, a global cancer, killing civilized society."

Another member of the delegation, Lok Sabha MP Daggubati Purandeswari, spoke about the "hard truths" regarding terrorism that the delegation intends to present to the global community during their European visit. "India has suffered cross-border terrorism long enough," she stated, explaining that the country, under its current leadership, refuses to remain passive in the face of such threats.

Rajya Sabha MP Priyanka Chaturvedi emphasized that terrorism has become an "economic industry for Pakistan" and elaborated on the comprehensive nature of Operation Sindoor. "This is not just a conventional fight back...we will hold [Pakistan] accountable for every single life that an Indian loses because of terrorism," she said.

Kashmiri Rajya Sabha MP Ghulam Ali Khatana pointed out that the recent terrorist actions in Pahalgam targeted his home state’s thriving tourism industry and would be considered an "act of war" by India. Congress MP Dr. Amar Singh underscored the united front against terrorism presented by the all-party delegation, despite political differences.

Rajya Sabha MP Samik Bhattacharya called for the diplomatic isolation of Pakistan as a terrorist state. AIADMK leader M Thambidurai reinforced the necessity of global unity against Pakistan-sponsored terrorism in his address delivered in Tamil. Former union minister of state M J Akbar remarked that, in Pakistan, terrorism operates not as a rogue activity but as a state policy.

Members of the Indian community, including restaurateurs and tech professionals, expressed solidarity with India's stance against cross-border terrorism, recounting their protest against Pakistan-backed terrorism at the Eiffel Tower after the Pahalgam attacks, which claimed 26 lives.

The delegation, led by Ravi Shankar Prasad, is one of 33 all-party teams traveling worldwide to demonstrate India's zero-tolerance policy toward terror. They are set to meet Senators and National Assembly members before departing for Italy on Tuesday evening. Subsequent visits are planned to Denmark, the UK, Belgium, and Germany.