ROME — The all-party delegation led by BJP MP Ravi Shankar Prasad arrived
in Italy early on Wednesday (Indian time) following a successful visit to
France, conveying India's strong anti-terror stance.
The parliamentarians were received by India's Ambassador
to Italy Vani Rao on their arrival in Rome.
"The All-Party Parliamentary Delegation led by Ravi
Shankar Prasad, MP, arrived in Rome for wide-ranging interactions. They were
received by Ambassador Vani Rao. The delegation will convey India's firm and
united message against cross-border terrorism in the context of Operation
Sindoor," the Indian Embassy in Rome posted on X.
The nine-member delegation includes a diverse political
representation: Ravi Shankar Prasad (BJP), Daggubati Purandeswari (BJP),
Priyanka Chaturvedi (Shiv Sena-UBT), Ghulam Ali Khatana (BJP), Amar Singh
(Congress), Samik Bhattacharya (BJP), M. Thambidurai (AIADMK), former Union
Minister M.J. Akbar and former Ambassador Pankaj Saran.
In Italy also, the parliamentarians will meet several top
leaders, academia, think tanks and community members to brief them about
Operation Sindoor and India's 'new normal' message against terrorism.
Meanwhile, during their engagements in France, the
delegation conveyed India's continuous fight against Pakistan-sponsored
cross-border terrorism.
Earlier on Tuesday, the delegation held interactions with
senior journalists from leading French and international media outlets.
The conversation focused on India's firm and unwavering
stance against terrorism. The delegates conveyed that India remains resolute in
its efforts to counter terrorism and called for greater international
solidarity on this critical global challenge.
"Following the media interaction, the delegation
held meetings at the French National Assembly with Members of Parliament led by
Thierry Tesson, President of the France-India Friendship Group. Later, at the
French Senate, they met with Senators from the France-India Friendship Group
led by Vice President Jacqueline Eustache-Brinio, along with members of the
Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence," the Embassy said in a
statement.
Throughout the meetings, the Ravi Shankar Prasad-led MPs
underlined India's deep commitment to combating terrorism in all its forms and
manifestations.
"The French parliamentarians expressed strong
solidarity with India's position, and support in the fight against terrorism,
and reaffirmed the shared values that underpin the France-India strategic
partnership," the statement added.
Ravi Shankar Prasad on Tuesday took to social media,
mentioning the details of the interaction in Paris, in which they highlighted
designated terrorists taking shelter in Pakistan and India's response following
the April 22 Pahlagam terror attack.
"Today, along with my delegation colleagues, I
interacted with the French media in Paris. We briefed them about India's
actions against Pakistan-sponsored terrorism. Yesterday, we had a wonderful
interaction with a think tank. We also spoke to a large number of Indians
staying in Paris and other parts of France. They heard with a great degree of
pain about the unfortunate tragedy of innocent Indian lives being killed in a
barbaric manner, and the way India has responded. On the issue of terrorism,
the whole world needs to speak in one voice," Prasad posted on X.
Prasad highlighted that there are several UN-designated
terrorists in Pakistan, out of whom many were killed during India's precision
strikes as a last resort. He said that the delegation conveyed India's message
in "very unmistakable terms."
"This time, we have responded very conclusively with
lethal power, attacking terrorist camps and their air force installations. As a
result, Pakistan has asked for peace," Prasad said.
