Ravi Shankar Prasad Leads Multi-Party Delegation to Europe to Highlight Pakistan-Sponsored Terrorism

New Delhi: Senior BJP MP and former Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad is heading a multi-party parliamentary delegation to France, the UK, Germany, Italy, Brussels — the European Union headquarters — and Denmark, to raise the issue of Pakistan-sponsored terrorism in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor.

In an interview, Prasad discussed the mandate of these delegations and the message they intend to deliver to European leaders.

On why all-party delegations were sent abroad:
“After the Pahalgam attack, India remained united. The Prime Minister believed this unity should also be visible to the world. It’s not just BJP MPs travelling; leaders from across the political spectrum are part of these teams. In my group, apart from Baijayant Panda and myself, the rest are from other parties,” Prasad said.

Responding to Opposition criticism that the missions reflect India’s ‘failure’ to secure international support post-Operation Sindoor:
Prasad dismissed the charge. “This is completely off the mark. Recently, a parliamentary delegation from France visited and expressed their support. The UN resolution came, and world leaders conveyed their condolences to the Prime Minister and the External Affairs Minister. Why this narrative that only two countries stood with us? The Gulf countries — Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait — all expressed concern and solidarity. This claim lacks basis.”

On what evidence India is presenting to world leaders:
“The line between the Pakistani military and terror outfits is completely blurred. A General who failed in the field has been promoted to Field Marshal — that says it all. From 1948 to Pahalgam, every major terror strike leads back to Pakistan. We’ve shared satellite images and location intelligence with foreign governments. Neutral security analysts have acknowledged India’s operational superiority. Even initially sceptical international media outlets, like The New York Times and The Washington Post, later reported fairly after reviewing the evidence.”

On whether Operation Sindoor signals a shift in India’s security doctrine:
Prasad noted that terrorism is a global scourge and India is not its only victim. “France, Brussels, London, the US — all have faced attacks, and often the trail leads to Pakistan. India tried to improve relations diplomatically. The Prime Minister invited Nawaz Sharif to his 2014 swearing-in and even made a personal visit to Lahore. In return, we faced terror strikes. Now, we’ve made it clear — if India bleeds, it will strike back with precision, as we did.”

He described the Pahalgam incident, where terrorists asked married couples to prove their identity before executing husbands, as “unthinkable” and underscored India’s resolve to respond firmly. He also highlighted the country’s enhanced air defence preparedness, covering over 3,000 km from Ladakh to Kutch, strengthened by Make in India initiatives focused on military modernisation.

On the delegation’s key message to Europe:
While the official briefing remains confidential, Prasad said, “Our message to Europe is simple — it’s time the world speaks in one voice against terrorism. It does not recognise any religion, it is anti-democratic, and the human rights of victims must be acknowledged.”

On political tensions back home amid calls for unity:
Asked about the Congress leadership’s criticism of External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and the BJP’s targeting of Congress MP Rahul Gandhi, Prasad sought to downplay the row. “Most Congress leaders have supported the government’s stance, including Salman Khurshid, Manish Tewari, and Shashi Tharoor, who’s already on one of these delegations. I don’t wish to politicise this. But I’ll say this much to Mr Gandhi — as Leader of the Opposition, a very responsible role, please reconsider your words. Why hand Pakistan something to use against India? It’s high time the world accepts India’s version, backed by evidence. Don’t be the jarring note.”