London: In a powerful display of unity and purpose, an all-party Indian delegation led by BJP MP Ravi Shankar Prasad paid floral tributes to Mahatma Gandhi at Tavistock Square and to Dr. B.R. Ambedkar at the Ambedkar Museum in London on Sunday. The visit marked a symbolic reaffirmation of India’s commitment to non-violence, constitutional values, and zero tolerance for terrorism.
“We have come to pay our respects to the great statue of Mahatma Gandhi here in the heart of London. His principles of non-violence, truth, and goodwill (sadh bhav) are more relevant today, especially in an age of terrorism sponsored by Pakistan,” said Ravi Shankar Prasad, speaking to reporters.
Prasad stressed that Gandhi’s message remains vital in the current global scenario. “Peace is important, terrorism is not,” he said, quoting Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and called for international action against terror networks.
Priyanka Chaturvedi: India Never Aggressive, But Empowered to Respond
Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi also offered floral tributes to both Gandhi and Ambedkar and reiterated India’s peaceful philosophy rooted in its Constitution. However, she emphasized that India is empowered to act against any entity working against its interests.
“We visited Ambedkar Ji’s memorial and paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi. India has never been aggressive, but when attacked, our Constitution empowers us to respond. Gandhi showed us that path,” she said.
She contrasted the post-Partition paths taken by India and Pakistan, calling Pakistan “Aatankistan,” and said, “This visit is to explain that difference to the world, especially since Partition happened under British rule.”
Daggubati Purandeswari: A Humbling Experience
BJP MP Daggubati Purandeswari reflected on the historic significance of visiting Gandhi’s and Ambedkar’s memorials.
“It was a humbling moment. We visited Babasaheb Ambedkar’s residence, now preserved as one of the Panchtirths by the Indian government. We also paid homage to Mahatma Gandhi. We will now engage the diaspora and speak about Operation Sindoor and India’s global stance against terrorism,” she said.
Indian High Commission: Remembering 26/11 and India’s Democratic Resolve
The Indian High Commission in London, in its post on X, highlighted the tribute paid by the delegation and invoked the 2008 Mumbai attacks, which occurred on the same day India’s Constitution was adopted in 1949.
“In commemorating Babasaheb’s vision, the delegation recalled the 26/11 Mumbai attacks — one of the most outrageous examples of Pakistan-directed terror — and emphasized India’s democratic resolve to confront terrorism,” the post read.
The High Commission also noted Gandhi’s moral clarity that “terrorism must be held to be wrong in every case.”
Strengthening India-UK Ties Amid Global Security Challenges
India’s High Commissioner to the UK, Vikram Doraiswami, briefed the delegation on India-UK bilateral ties, diaspora outreach, and joint efforts to counterterrorism in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terrorist attack and Operation Sindoor.
“The All-Party Delegation was briefed by the Indian mission in London, emphasizing our shared interests with the UK in countering global terrorism and enhancing strategic cooperation,” the post stated.
Global Outreach Against Terrorism
The London stop is part of the delegation’s multi-nation tour, including France, Italy, and Denmark, under India’s global outreach initiative to rally international support for its zero-tolerance policy against terrorism and to engage with Indian diaspora communities worldwide.
India’s message from London was loud and clear: Peace through strength, unity through values, and justice through resolve.