Rishi Sunak Backs India’s “Operation Sindoor,” UK Offers De-escalation Support

GG News Bureau
New Delhi/London, 7th May: Former UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has expressed his support for India’s “Operation Sindoor,” the targeted military strike on terrorist camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) in retaliation for the Pahalgam terror attack. Sunak asserted that India’s actions were “justified.”

“No nation should have to accept terrorist attacks being launched against it from land controlled by another country. There can be no impunity for terrorists,” Sunak stated in a post on X (formerly Twitter). He had previously condemned the “barbaric” attack in Pahalgam, which claimed the lives of 26 people, and affirmed the UK’s solidarity with India.

“The barbaric attack in Pahalgam has stolen the lives of newlyweds, children, and families simply seeking joy. Our hearts break for them. To those mourning – know that the UK stands with you in sorrow and solidarity. Terror will never win. We grieve with India,” he had said earlier.

Meanwhile, UK Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds offered the UK’s support in de-escalating tensions between India and Pakistan. “Our message would be that we are a friend, a partner to both countries. We stand ready to support both countries. Both have a huge interest in regional stability, in dialogue, in de-escalation and anything we can do to support that, we are here and willing to do,” Reynolds told BBC radio.

No nation should have to accept terrorist attacks being launched against it from land controlled by another country.

India is justified in striking terrorist infrastructure. There can be no impunity for terrorists.

— Rishi Sunak (@RishiSunak) May 7, 2025

The UK Foreign Office has also issued travel advisories, urging British nationals to avoid travel within eight kilometers of the India-Pakistan border, within 16 kilometers of the Line of Control (LoC), and all travel to Pakistan’s southwestern Balochistan province. “We are continuing to monitor the situation closely. British nationals should stay up to date with our travel advice and follow the advice of local authorities,” the Foreign Office stated.

India’s “Operation Sindoor” involved 24 missile strikes across nine locations in Pakistan and PoK, reportedly resulting in the deaths of 70 terrorists and injuries to 60 others. The strikes targeted locations including Muzaffarabad, Kotli, Bahawalpur, Rawalakot, Chakswari, Bhimber, Neelum Valley, Jhelum, and Chakwal. According to government sources, the operation was a meticulously planned and synchronized military response designed to avoid detection and maximize damage.

In response to India’s strikes, Pakistan reportedly engaged in “arbitrary and indiscriminate firing” and artillery shelling across the LoC, resulting in the deaths of three civilians in Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch sector.