UK MP Priti Patel Backs India's Right To Defend Itself And Dismantle Terror Networks
UK MP Priti Patel has condemned the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, emphasizing India's right to defend itself against terrorism and calling for stronger UK-India counter-terror cooperation.
UK Member of Parliament Priti Patel has strongly condemned the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed 26 lives, and called on the British government to bolster counter-terror cooperation with India. Speaking in the UK House of Commons, Patel emphasized that India has the right to take reasonable and proportionate steps to defend itself and dismantle the "vile terrorist infrastructure" threatening its citizens, while also urging a de-escalation of tensions between India and Pakistan.
She posted this on X and wrote that, "Today in the House of Commons I reiterated my condolences for those impacted by the atrocity that took place in Pahalgam. We must stand with those affected by terrorism. The UK must work with our friends in India to tackle terrorist threats and engage with India, Pakistan and key partners in the region to de-escalate tensions and support peace, security and stability."
Today in the House of Commons I reiterated my condolences for those impacted by the atrocity that took place in Pahalgam. We must stand with those affected by terrorism. The UK must work with our friends in India to tackle terrorist threats and engage with India, Pakistan and key… pic.twitter.com/8RXezaJHx0
— Priti Patel MP (@pritipatel) May 7, 2025
She started her speech by mentioning the Pahalgam attack and now it has joined the list of cities who witnessed terror attacks earlier. She said, "On the 22nd of April, terrorists brutally killed 26 tourists in Pahalgam in a barbaric and savage act of violence. Most victims were killed at point-blank range by gunshots to their heads. My thoughts and prayers were with all those that were affected by this murderous, violent terrorism in Pahalgam. This was an act of terrorism and we must reflect on the fact that Pahalgam has joined Mumbai, New Delhi and other places in India that will be forever scarred by an act of terror."
While calling for de-escalation between India and Pakistan, Patel underlined that the UK must also recognize the threat posed by terrorist organizations operating from Pakistan.
"Mr Speaker, this is clearly a precarious moment and we want to see tensions ease between India and Pakistan. We want to avoid a state-on-state military escalation. We're also clear that India has the right to take reasonable and proportionate steps to defend itself and to dismantle the vile terrorist infrastructure that has caused death and continues to threaten them. And we know that terrorists based in Pakistan threaten India and Western interests," she said.
"It was the country that Osama bin Laden was hiding in. And because of the long history of violence inflicted by terrorists on India, the UK has in place longstanding security cooperation agreements with India. And in fact, last weekend, this House reminded the government of those longstanding security agreements, why they exist and why they should matter to us here in the UK," she added.
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