UK MP hails all-party Indian delegation's counter-terrorism message in Parliament
London (PTI): UK Opposition Conservative Party MP Bob Blackman updated the House of Commons Thursday on the recent visit of an all-party Indian delegation to reiterate India's zero-tolerance stance against terrorism emanating from Pakistan.
In his capacity as the Chair of the House of Commons Backbench Business Committee, Blackman informed Leader of the Commons Lucy Powell of the cross-party and cross-religion delegation's interactions with many British MPs and officials.
He went on to call for a government statement on the steps to be taken to support India in its counter-terror mission in the wake of the Pahalgam terrorist attacks and the following Operation Sindoor targeting terror camps backed by Pakistan.
"Over the weekend and earlier this week, we had our first cross-party delegation from India for many years. It included parliamentarians from all religions, and I know that many MPs and Members of the House of Lords had the opportunity to meet them,” said Blackman.
"Two things came out of that delegation loudly and clearly: first, that the uneasy truce that exists between India and Pakistan could at any time be violated if further terrorist actions emanate from Pakistan; and secondly, that India is reaching out for support from the west on security and defence measures, and we must assist it,” said the Tory MP.
"May we have a statement next week, probably from the Foreign Secretary, on what we in this Parliament will do to support India in its need to quash terrorism,” he asked.
Responding on behalf of the government, Powell expressed her regret at being unable to meet the delegation while they were on a three-day UK visit earlier this week.
"He is right that our relationship with India is important, which is why this government are so pleased that we have agreed an unprecedented trade deal with India,” said Powell.
“There are also, as he says, security and other issues between India and Pakistan, and this House has been kept updated on those matters and I shall make sure that continues to be the case,” she said.
Blackman held talks with BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad-led delegation as a member of the India All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG), which had hosted the nine-member team during a final London engagement at the House of Lords complex before departing for Belgium on Tuesday.
"We have got to build on the trade and security links that we have negotiated over the past few years to enable the United Kingdom and India to operate together for mutual benefit… there’s nothing better than hearing directly from other colleagues in Parliament in India to enable us to understand exactly what India is doing,” the MP for Harrow East in London said, following the meeting earlier this week.
“There is an uneasy truce between India and Pakistan but the reality is that if Pakistan continues to foster terrorism, allow terrorist bases to operate from their side of the Line of Control, then India must respond and eradicate that terrorism,” he said.
The all-party delegation has since been holding discussions with European Union (EU) officials in Brussels before concluding their six-nation Europe tour in Germany.
Besides Prasad, the delegation included 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.
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Nightclub fire: Luthra brothers brought to Goa from Delhi
Panaji (PTI): Gaurav and Saurabh Luthra, co-owners of the Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub, were brought to Goa from Delhi on Wednesday after being deported from Thailand in connection with the December 6 fire incident that killed 25 persons.
They will be interrogated by the Goa Police in connection with the devastating fire at the nightclub in Arpora, North Goa, an official said.
A team of the Goa Police, along with the Luthra brothers, landed at the Manohar International Airport, Mopa, in North Goa at 10.45 am.
ALSO READ: Goa nightclub fire: Luthra brothers deported from Thailand, taken into police custody
They are likely to be taken to the Anjuna police station for questioning. The accused will also be produced before a court in Mapusa town for their regular remand, the official said.
After the fire tragedy, the Anjuna police had registered a case against the Luthra brothers on various charges, including culpable homicide not amounting to murder.
The Luthra brothers were arrested on Tuesday as soon as they landed in Delhi after being deported from Thailand. A court there allowed the Goa Police their two-day transit remand.
The duo had fled to Phuket (Thailand) early on December 7, hours after the fire at their nightclub, prompting the authorities to issue an Interpol Blue Corner Notice and cancel their passports.
They were detained by Thai authorities at Phuket on December 11 following a request from the Indian government, which later coordinated with officials in Thailand to deport them under legal treaties between the two nations.
Five managers and staff members have already been arrested by the Goa Police in connection with the fire.
