Indian parliamentary team meets Priti Patel, highlights Operation Sindoor
Earlier, the delegation met the Indian diaspora at India House in London. During the interaction, the MPs reaffirmed India’s commitment to combating terrorism in all forms.
The Indian delegation met shadow foreign secretary Priti Patel in London to highlight India’s counter-terrorism efforts, including Operation Sindoor. (Photo: X/@HCI_London)
AN ALL-PARTY Indian parliamentary delegation, led by the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) MP Ravi Shankar Prasad, met with the shadow foreign secretary Priti Patel and her team on Sunday to share India's resolve in countering cross-border terrorism. The Members of Parliament highlighted how Operation Sindoor is part of India’s approach to fighting terrorism.
In a post on X, the Indian High Commission in the UK said, "The All-Party Parliamentary Delegation met with Shadow Foreign Secretary @pritipatel and her team to share India's firm resolve in combating cross-border terrorism. They also highlighted how #OperationSindoor exemplifies the new normal set by India in this ongoing effort."
The Indian delegation included BJP MP Daggubati Purandeswari, Samik Bhattacharya, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi, Congress MPs Ghulam Ali Khatana and Amar Singh, former union minister MJ Akbar, and former ambassador Pankaj Saran.
Earlier, the delegation met the Indian diaspora at India House in London. During the interaction, the MPs reaffirmed India’s commitment to combating terrorism in all forms.
"The All Party Delegation of MPs interacted with representatives of the large and diverse Indian Diaspora at India House in London today. They reaffirmed India's united stance and unwavering commitment to combating terrorism in all its forms, and underlined the readiness of India to continue to decisively punish any and all acts of terror," the Indian High Commission posted on X.
A pleasure to meet with a cross-party delegation of senior Indian MPs @HCI_London. Significant areas of discussion covered our shared determination to combatting terrorism, to UK-India defence and security links, our economic ties and the living bridge between our two countries… https://t.co/8pl8ud07eM — Priti Patel MP (@pritipatel) June 2, 2025
While speaking with the diaspora, Ravi Shankar Prasad said that Pakistan is not a "democratic country" and added that Pakistan’s armed forces have taken control of the country for themselves.
Prasad said, "What is the problem of Pakistan? The problem with Pakistan is that it is not a democratic country. 'Muhammad Ali Jinnah ne banaya Pakistan, wo ban gaya Generals ki dukaan, that is the situation of Pakistan. The second thing, very important, is people, leaders make the country. There, Pakistan armed forces have made a country for themselves, unelectable, not accountable, not popular sanction, but they seized power. Ayub Khan field marshal for 10 years. Mr Yahya Khan for seven and a half years, Mr Zia ul Haq for eleven years, General Musharraf for nine years."
"Now you have Munir, General, who was defeated in the field but became a field marshal. That is the whole scenario. The prime minister said, enough is enough. On the 7th of May, Indian forces made a decisive blow against only the terrorist outfit, Bahawalpur, Muridke, Muzaffarabad, 100 terrorists were killed. Remember this attack was unleashed at the dead of night around 1:30 for 20 minutes only, and no civilian casualties were there. In the morning, we informed the Pakistestablishment, raat mein aapki pitai ki hai, lekin khali terrorist camp ko hi pita hai (You were beaten up at night, but only terrorist camps were targeted), okay, no citizen has been touched at all. They did not respond. They attacked our skies, the cities through missiles. And I want you to salute our air force and armed forces. They completely blocked all the missiles, completely paralysed them," he added.
Ravi Shankar Prasad mentioned that Osama bin Laden was caught in Pakistan. He said the terrorists who hijacked the plane to rescue Masood Azhar were killed and Masood Azhar's family members were also killed by the Indian Armed Forces under Operation Sindoor.
Twenty-six people were killed and several others injured in the terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam on April 22. Indian Armed Forces launched Operation Sindoor on May 7 in response to the April 22 Pahalgam attack by Pakistan-sponsored terrorists. Indian Armed Forces targeted terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, resulting in the death of more than 100 terrorists from groups like the Jaish-e-Mohammed, Lashkar-e-Taiba, and Hizbul Mujahideen.
AT LEAST 10 per cent of the UK’s non-domiciled residents have left the country following recent changes to tax rules, according to a report by Chris Walker, a former Treasury economist.
The report, based on 2024 data from Henley & Partners on London’s millionaire population, was commissioned by entrepreneur Andrew Barclay and published by the Onward think tank.
The exodus comes after the Labour government scrapped the centuries-old non-dom regime and extended the 40 per cent inheritance tax to overseas assets. The changes go beyond proposals made by the previous Conservative government.
The reforms, along with higher capital gains tax and stricter rules on private equity investments announced last year by chancellor Rachel Reeves, have led to departures by wealthy individuals including Shravin Bharti Mittal, Nassef Sawiris, and Richard Gnodde.
The Treasury said the UK remains attractive, adding, “Our main capital gains tax rate is lower than any other G7 European country and our new residence-based regime is simpler and more attractive than the previous one.”
Walker estimated 26,000 non-doms have left in 2024. Charlie Sosna of Mishcon de Reya said, “That figure will only get bigger.” Walker’s report warned the reforms may have gone too far and suggested policy adjustments.
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Prime minister Starmer with former Newcastle United goalkeeper Shaka Hislop, who helped launch the charity nearly 30 years ago.
PRIME MINISTER Keir Starmer hosted the anti-racism charity Show Racism the Red Card at a reception in Downing Street on June 2. The event was attended by former footballers and campaigners, including Shaka Hislop, who helped launch the charity nearly 30 years ago.
Starmer praised the charity's work and said, “This great charity, Show Racism the Red Card... has reached 1.3 million people,” noting its presence in schools, workplaces, and stadiums across the UK.
He spoke about the racist abuse faced by footballers and the importance of continuing to challenge discrimination.
Referring to the England team’s experience after the Euro 2021 final, he said, “Just as we think that we've made great strides forward, there's a brutal reminder: not so fast. Don't be complacent.”
Starmer said football had the power to bring people together and help build a more inclusive Britain. “Football is for everyone,” he said. “It gives people a leg up with skills, employability, and confidence.”
He cited several initiatives, including Arsenal’s Twinning Project and the Dirt Is Good campaign, as examples of how football is being used to address wider social issues.
Starmer concluded by inviting the campaigners to continue engaging with the government. “You're not just invited to be here — you are entitled to be here,” he said. “Put your fingerprints on the next policy... to make sure that we together shape a better future.”
The reception follows an open letter sent to Starmer in December 2024 by a coalition of seven organisations urging the government to “#TakeRacismSeriously” and improve support for young people affected by racism. Show Racism the Red Card has backed the campaign.
Show Racism the Red Card was established in January 1996, thanks in part to a donation by then Newcastle United goalkeeper Shaka Hislop.
In 1990s Newcastle, Shaka was at a petrol station near St James’ Park when he was confronted with a group of young people shouting racist abuse at him. After one of the group realised that they had been shouting at Shaka Hislop, the Newcastle United football player, they came over to ask for an autograph.
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An inflatable dinghy carrying migrants crosses the English Channel on 6 March, 2024 in the English Channel. (Photo: Getty Images)
A TOTAL of 1,194 migrants crossed the English Channel in small boats on Saturday, marking the highest number in a single day so far this year, according to AFP's count based on UK government data.
The crossings bring the total number for 2024 to 14,808, a new high despite efforts by both UK and French authorities to reduce such incidents.
French coastal officials said nearly 200 migrants were also rescued between late Friday and late Saturday.
Although Saturday’s figure does not surpass the record of 1,300 arrivals in a single day set in September 2022, the latest numbers come amid ongoing political pressure in the UK over irregular migration.
UK defence secretary John Healey described the crossings as “shocking” and said they showed a lack of control. “Pretty shocking, those scenes yesterday,” he told Sky News on Sunday. “We saw the smugglers launching elsewhere and coming around like a taxi to pick them up,” he said. “Britain's lost control of its borders.”
In a statement, the Home Office said: “We all want to end dangerous small boat crossings, which threaten lives and undermine our border security.”
Prime minister Keir Starmer recently introduced new immigration measures, including increasing the period before migrants can apply for settlement and expanding powers to deport foreign criminals. These steps have been seen as part of an effort to regain voter support and respond to growing pressure from the Reform party.
A separate bill, the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill, is currently under debate in Parliament.
The 14,808 total for the first five months of 2024 is the highest since record-keeping for Channel crossings began in 2018. It also exceeds the previous six-month record, which stood at about 12,900 in the first half of the year.
French coast rescues migrants
French authorities said 184 people were rescued in four separate operations on Saturday. In one case, a boat carrying 61 people lost power. In another, nine people sent out a distress call.
According to AFP’s tally of official data, 15 people have died this year while attempting to cross the Channel, one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes.
Healey said France had agreed to allow its police to intercept migrant boats in shallow waters, but they are currently unable to stop boats once they begin crossing.
“We've got the agreement (with the French) that they will change the way they work,” he said.
He told the BBC, “What we now need is to work more closely with the French to persuade them to put that into operation so they can intervene in the water, in the shallow waters, which they don't at the moment.”
(With inputs from agencies)
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Punjab Kings' captain Shreyas Iyer (R) and his Royal Challengers Bengaluru's counterpart Rajat Patidar attend a press conference in Ahmedabad on June 2, 2025, on the eve of the IPL final. (Photo: Getty Images)
PUNJAB KINGS will take on Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the Indian Premier League final on Tuesday at Ahmedabad’s 132,000-capacity stadium, with both teams seeking their first title since the tournament began in 2008.
Punjab reached the final after defeating five-time champions Mumbai Indians by five wickets on Sunday. Captain Shreyas Iyer led the chase with an unbeaten 87.
Bengaluru go into the final with confidence, having beaten Punjab by eight wickets in the playoffs last week. This will be their fourth appearance in an IPL final, but they have yet to win the title.
Much of the crowd is expected to support Virat Kohli, the 36-year-old batter who remains one of Indian cricket’s biggest names. Kohli retired from Test cricket last month along with Rohit Sharma and has been Bengaluru’s leading run-scorer this season with 614 runs in 14 innings, including eight half-centuries.
Kohli has spoken openly about his desire to win the IPL and complete his career with the one title that has eluded him. After the playoff win over Punjab, he said: “One more to go.”
Bengaluru captain Rajat Patidar said the team is aware of what the title would mean to Kohli. “Of course,” Patidar said when asked about Kohli’s importance. “I think he has given a lot of years to RCB and the international side also. I think we will try to do our best in the game.”
Punjab’s fast bowling coach James Hopes said his side would focus on recovery and mental preparation. He added: “It’s going to be a pretty big crowd, and a pretty big pro-Kohli crowd as well.”
Bengaluru’s bowling attack includes Australian fast bowler Josh Hazlewood, who returned from injury to take 3-21 in the earlier playoff against Punjab, helping to bowl them out for 101.
Hazlewood leads a pace unit featuring Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Yash Dayal.
Punjab, coached by Ricky Ponting, bounced back from a loss to win the second qualifier in Ahmedabad, which had been delayed by rain.
Iyer, who led Kolkata Knight Riders to the title last year, was signed by Punjab for $3.17 million at the November auction. He has scored 603 runs in 16 innings this season, just behind Kohli.
Iyer in form as Punjab seek first title
His unbeaten 87 off 41 balls in the previous match included five fours and eight sixes. “When I back myself and back my instincts, I think that's when I get the best out of myself,” Iyer said. “And also when other players revolve around you and keep performing, that also gives you a little bit of extra push to keep going.”
Hopes said Iyer remains calm under pressure. “He doesn’t get flustered very easily,” he said. “He knows what he has to do and he’s prepared to take that risk. He is a sensational captain and a sensational player.”
Punjab openers Priyansh Arya and Prabhsimran Singh have been in good form.
They also have options in Josh Inglis, and allrounders Marcus Stoinis and Azmatullah Omarzai, who could all play a role in ending Kohli’s long wait for an IPL title.
Rishi Sunak backs RCB
Former UK prime minister Rishi Sunak has declared his support for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) ahead of their IPL 2025 final clash with Punjab Kings (PBKS). Citing his family ties to Bengaluru through wife Akshata Murty, Sunak said, “I’m married into a Bangalore family, so RCB is my team,” in an interview with The Times of India.
Sunak, who used to cheer for the team even while in Downing Street, said one of his most treasured items is a Virat Kohli bat gifted to him by Indian external affairs minister S Jaishankar. “It’s one of my prized possessions,” he added.
This will be RCB’s fourth appearance in an IPL final—they have lost all previous ones. PBKS will be playing their second, having lost to Kolkata Knight Riders in 2014.
Sunak praised the IPL’s impact on cricket development, especially for English players. “The IPL has transformed cricket. Every cricketer wants to play in it now,” he said, noting strong performances by RCB’s English players like Phil Salt and Liam Livingstone. He also highlighted the improvement of Jacob Bethell, who had to leave the RCB squad for England duty.
He added that the IPL and Women’s Premier League (WPL) are helping grow the women’s game and reflect India’s rising global influence: “India’s passions and tastes now have global impact.”
(With inputs from agencies)
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Devotees look at a model of the demolished Akal Takht Sahib, regarded as the supreme seat of the Sikh religious authority during Operation Blue Star in 1984 ahead of the operation's anniversary at the Golden Temple in Amritsar on June 3, 2024. (Photo: Getty Images)
BRITISH SIKHS are threatening to “no platform” Labour MPs because there has been no public inquiry into UK involvement in Operation Blue Star, the Indian Army operation carried out in June 1984 to flush out armed militants from the Golden Temple.
The Guardian reported that over 450 gurdwaras, charities, associations and university societies have written to Keir Starmer, urging him to honour promises for an investigation or risk consequences for many Labour MPs’ re-election.
A rally in Trafalgar Square on Sunday marked the 41st anniversary of the operation, where Indian forces stormed Sikhism’s holiest site in Amritsar to remove Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, killing thousands. The letter from Sikhs, dated June 1, said there had been a “deafening silence” to recent letters and called for timelines for an inquiry into “UK involvement in the Indian military operation and anti-Sikh measures in Britain when Margaret Thatcher was in power”.
In 2014, documents showed Margaret Thatcher’s government had full knowledge of India’s Operation Blue Star, with an SAS officer advising beforehand. David Cameron’s review found the British officer’s advice was ignored, disappointing Sikhs. Starmer promised an independent inquiry in a 2022 letter.
Campaigners want the inquiry to begin before the 40th anniversary of the incident ends. They said Labour MPs could be banned from Sikh temples and events if there is no judge-led inquiry announced in parliament by July 2025.
The Guardian saw a list of seats where Sikh Federation UK identified the “Sikh vote” as “critical”. Dabinderjit Singh, executive lead of the NGO, said Labour could lose the majority of Sikh support in the UK. The federation believes there are a million Sikhs in the UK.
Singh said talks were taking place with the Liberal Democrats, Reform and the Scottish National Party. “Labour announced the [Pat Finucane] inquiry in September … don’t tell us, when there were thousands of people killed in 1984, that our lives matter less,” Singh said.
Following the May local elections, Singh said some people believe Sikhs may start to vote for Reform due to frustration with politicians’ broken promises. “That’s the bigger danger – that people therefore look for something different,” he said.
Singh said he personally struggled with Reform’s policies but had met Nigel Farage before, noting Ukip was supportive on Sikh issues “for their own reasons”. Two British Sikh candidates stood for Reform in the 2024 general election in London. In April, Rajbir Singh, former Labour leader of Sandwell council, defected to Reform.
The Foreign Office, approached by The Guardian, referred to Lucy Powell’s comments in January. She said: “I know that this matter is of great importance to the Sikh community across the UK … we need to get to the bottom of what happened.”