British-Indian MP Priti Patel backs India’s right to self-defence in UK Parliament debate on India-Pakan tensions | World News
British-Indian MP and Shadow Foreign Secretary Priti Patel strongly backed India’s right to defend itself against terrorism during a heated debate in the UK Parliament on Wednesday, as lawmakers addressed rising tensions between India and Pakan following the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack and India’s retaliatory Operation Sindoor.
Speaking in the House of Commons, Patel said India was justified in taking “reasonable and proportionate” action to dismantle what she called the “vile terror infrastructure” operating across the Line of Control.
“Terrors based in Pakan threaten India and Western interests — it was the country that Osama bin Laden was hiding in,” said Patel. “Because of the long hory of violence being inflicted terrors on India, the UK has in place long-standing security cooperation agreements with India.”
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Her remarks came in the context of India’s early-morning strikes on Wednesday targeting nine terror camps in Pakan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) and parts of Punjab province, in what New Delhi described as a measured response to the Pahalgam attack that killed 26 people.
Today in the House of Commons I reiterated my condolences for those impacted the atrocity that took place in Pahalgam. We must stand with those affected terrorism. The UK must work with our friends in India to tackle terror threats and engage with India, Pakan and key… pic.twitter.com/8RXezaJHx0
— Priti Patel MP (@pritipatel) May 7, 2025
“On the 22nd of April, terrors brutally killed 26 tours in Pahalgam in a barbaric and savage act of violence. Most victims were killed at point-blank range gunshots to their heads. My thoughts and prayers were with all those that were affected this murderous, violent terrorism in Pahalgam,” she said, adding that Pahalgam had joined the l of Indian cities such as Mumbai and New Delhi that had been scarred acts of terrorism.
Patel urged the British government to clarify whether it could provide specific support to prevent further escalation and pressed for an official assessment of the April 22 terror incident. “The UK must ensure its approach is grounded in realism about the threat India faces,” she said.
Responding to Patel, Foreign Office Miner Hamish Falconer reiterated the government’s position of urging restraint on both sides. He confirmed that “extended discussions” had taken place with Pakani officials regarding internal terror threats and the need to combat extremism within Pakan’s borders. “The UK has a close and unique relationship with both countries,” said Falconer. “We clearly condemned the horrific terror attack last month. Now, we need all sides to focus urgently on steps needed to restore regional stability.”
Labour MP Jas Athwal, born in India to Pakani-origin parents, spoke of the personal toll the conflict has on diaspora communities and urged the UK to push both sides toward diplomacy. “Neither nation will take a backward step,” he warned.Story continues below this ad
Conservative MP Bob Blackman voiced firm support for India’s actions, demanding that “terror bases must be removed once and for all” and described the nine targeted sites as active training hubs for cross-border attacks.
Meanwhile, several MPs of Pakani origin expressed concern over the scale of India’s retaliation and warned of the dangers of conflict between two nuclear-armed states. “It is important that the House remains focused on the importance of de-escalation,” said Falconer, closing the debate. “We now need to see calm heads. Britain will continue to play its full part for de-escalation and diplomacy.”
(With PTI inputs)
