United Kingdom Offers India ‘All Assistance’ In Counter-Terrorism, Intelligence Sharing

A week after India carried out a preemptive airstrike in Balakot Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) training camp in retaliation to Pulwama attack, United Kingdom has offered India ‘all assistance’ in counter-terrorism and intelligence sharing.

India’s national security advisor Ajit Doval and his British counterpart, Mark Sedwill talked on phone for second time in a week.

“Mr. Sedwill expressed solidarity with India in the aftermath of the Pulwama terrorist attack. He said that all assistance in dealing with any form of terrorism will be extended to India bilaterally through counter-terrorism cooperation, intelligence sharing and by bringing the perpetrators of terrorist attacks to justice,” The Hindu quoted a source as saying.

It was also reported that the British diplomats have been working “behind the scenes” to ease the tension between India and Pakistan and focus on action against terror groups operating in latter’s territory.

On 3 March (Sunday), UK Prime Minister Theresa May spoke to Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan. While lauding the release of Wing Commander Abhinandan, she stressed the need for Pakistan to act against terror groups.

“There has been solid support for India, there has been solid understanding with India and there has been no talk of mediation ... This is not an issue of India-Pakistan, this is an issue of terrorism. We have encouraged all the leaders [who called] to tell Pakistan to take action against terror groups,” a senior government official was quoted as saying.