Confronting Terrorism Together – A Call for Global Unity and Local Resilience

Terrorism remains one of the gravest threats to peace, stability, and democracy around the world. Its impact is not confined to any one region or nation—it is a challenge that demands a global response.

Earlier this week, I had the opportunity to attend a meeting in London with the visiting All-Party Parliamentary Delegation from India. The agenda was a sombre one: to discuss the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, and the wider implications for security in South Asia. The attack was a chilling reminder that terrorism continues to claim innocent lives and undermine the foundations of civil society.

As someone who has lived and worked across borders, I have seen firsthand how the fight against terrorism must be rooted not just in national security, but in international cooperation.

A Shared Responsibility

India and the UK have a long-standing partnership based on shared democratic values and strong people-to-people ties. That relationship must now serve as a platform for deeper collaboration on counter-terrorism.

We must dismantle terror infrastructure and cut off its funding—decisively and globally.

From disrupting financial networks to combating online radicalisation, this is not a task for one government or one region alone. It requires joined-up action across intelligence agencies, tech platforms, civil society, and multilateral forums.

South Asia’s Security Landscape

The security situation in South Asia is complex and sensitive, with various cross-border tensions, unresolved disputes, and ideological extremism at play. The UK, home to a large South Asian diaspora, has both a strategic interest and moral responsibility to support peace and stability in the region.

The recent attack in Pahalgam is a painful reminder that peace cannot be taken for granted. Efforts to promote development, dialogue, and reconciliation must go hand-in-hand with robust security measures. There is no progress without peace—and no peace without justice.

The Power of Community

The British Indian community, and indeed the wider South Asian diaspora in the UK, has a crucial role to play. Whether it is through community leadership, public advocacy, or supporting education and tolerance, civil society must lead from the front in countering extremism.

This is not simply about governments working together—it is about people standing up for the values of compassion, freedom, and coexistence.

Looking Ahead

Terrorism thrives where there is fear, division, and despair. To truly defeat it, we must offer an alternative—a world of inclusion, opportunity, and hope.

The discussions with the Indian delegation were timely, constructive, and united in purpose. But words must lead to action. Now is the time for both nations to deepen collaboration on intelligence, reinforce international frameworks, and ensure that terrorism finds no shelter—neither in geography nor ideology.

We owe it to the victims. We owe it to future generations. And we owe it to the ideals that bind us together, across borders.