Brussels, 5 June 2025 – An all-party Indian parliamentary delegation visited Brussels this week to brief European counterparts and international media on India’s position following the 22 April terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir.
The delegation, led by senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) lawmaker and former Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad, presented what it described as India’s “measured and proportionate” response to the attack, while calling on the European Union to adopt a firmer stance on state-sponsored terrorism originating from Pakistan.
The briefing, held at the Indian Embassy in Brussels and hosted by Ambassador Saurabh Kumar, formed part of a broader diplomatic outreach campaign by New Delhi in the aftermath of the incident. Mr Kumar welcomed the delegation and media, stating:
“We believe Europe has a strategic interest in understanding the nature of terrorism faced by India. It is not a bilateral dispute, but a global concern.”
Details of the Attack and Indian Response
Mr Prasad described the 22 April incident in Pahalgam, which targeted civilians and tourists, as “a brutal and targeted act of terror”. He said the attack was “planned from across the border” and had resulted in the deaths of several Indian citizens, including a newlywed couple on honeymoon.
India’s military response, codenamed Operation Sindoor, was launched in the early hours of 7 May. According to Mr Prasad, the strikes were conducted entirely from Indian territory and focused exclusively on terrorist training facilities in Bahawalpur, Muridke, and Muzaffarabad.
“This was a limited, precise, and proportionate strike,” Mr Prasad said. “No civilian areas were targeted, no Indian troops crossed the border, and no civilian casualties occurred on the Pakistani side.”
The Indian government claims that roughly 100 militants were neutralised in the strike. Following what India described as an unprovoked Pakistani missile retaliation, a second round of strikes was conducted, targeting 11 Pakistani military installations.
“We made it clear that if provoked, India will respond with firmness,” Mr Prasad said. “At the same time, we remain open to de-escalation — but not at the cost of our national security.”
Appeal for European Recognition of Terrorism’s Source
Throughout the briefing, the delegation emphasised that India was not seeking European intervention but rather clarity on where responsibility lies.
“We are grateful for statements of sympathy and condemnation of the attack,” Mr Prasad said. “But let me be frank — we must also see clear acknowledgement of who is responsible for the infrastructure that enables these attacks.”
He cited Pakistan’s history of harbouring militant groups, referring to past incidents including the 2001 Indian Parliament attack and the 2008 Mumbai attacks. “The generals in Rawalpindi have long used terrorism as an extension of policy,” he added. “Democracy in Pakistan cannot take root while the military remains the final authority.”
When asked about the European Commission’s reported funding of Pakistani religious schools, Mr Prasad called for greater oversight. “We urge the EU to scrutinise how its development funds are used. There is credible evidence that such funds risk being diverted to institutions that perpetuate radicalisation.”
Kashmir and Internal Political Consensus
The delegation, which included MPs from across India’s political spectrum, sought to present a united national position. Congress MP Dr Amar Singh remarked:
“Our message is not partisan. It is a statement of collective resolve against terrorism.”
Responding to questions on the situation in Jammu and Kashmir, Mr Prasad defended the government’s record since the 2019 abrogation of Article 370. “We have held the fairest elections in the region. Opposition parties are in power in many districts. Tourism has increased, investment has risen, and citizens are living without the fear of militancy.”
Ghulam Ali Khatana, a Rajya Sabha MP from Jammu and Kashmir, stated: “The people of Kashmir want peace. What we are witnessing now is an attempt by Pakistan to destabilise that through attacks targeting civilians and economic recovery.”
Strategic and Global Dimensions
The Indian delegation warned of broader implications if cross-border terrorism is left unchecked.
“If such attacks go unaddressed, it emboldens similar actors globally,” Mr Prasad said. “India has revised its strategic doctrine. Future terror attacks will be treated not as isolated events but as acts of war.”
He added that India was not asking for military support, but for political and diplomatic recognition of the threat. “We are capable of defending ourselves. What we ask is that our friends in Europe take a principled stand against the use of terrorism as statecraft.”
Ambassador Saurabh Kumar concluded the briefing by stating: “This visit is part of India’s commitment to transparency and dialogue with our international partners. We will continue to engage constructively, but with realism about the threats we face.”
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