UK stands shoulder-to-shoulder with India in outrage over Pulwama attack: Boris Johnson

Britain stands shoulder-to-shoulder with India in outr over Pulwama terror attack, and in determination to work towards defeating terrorism that threatens both countries, British MP and former foreign secretary Boris Johnson said on March 2.

Speaking at a India Today Conclave in New Delhi, Johnson said India and United Kingdom would succeed in defeating terrorism, a common threat, for ir values were superior to those of terrorists and ir sponsors.

"I'm sure I speak for millions of people in my own country when I say we stand shoulder-to-shoulder with India in outr at killings in Pulwama, and in our determination to work with you to defeat terrorist foe that threatens us both," Boris Johnson, a former mayor of London, said.

"And we will succeed, and we will defeat m because in end, it is our values that are superior to those of terrorists, and those who sponsor m," he said.

Forty CRPF personnel were killed on February 14 in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district when a Jaish-e-Mohammed suicide bomber rammed an explosive-len vehicle into a bus carrying security forces.

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On return of IAF Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman from Pakistan's custody, Johnson said Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has behaved sensibly in deciding to release pilot but he clearly faces a very difficult situation in dealing with terrorism.

"Imran Khan behaved sensibly in deciding to release pilot but he clearly faces a very difficult situation and I think all of us who worry about what is going on re has a real real duty to support civilian side of government in Pakistan against deep state elements," he said.

"We have a very important relationship with Pakistan but re is doubt that deep state in country has been responsible chronically for association with sponsorship of terrorist groups. We have been trying to dress it through task force, blacklisting and grey listing and we put a huge amount of pressure on Pakistan. But we can consider putting more pressure through our aid budget," he said.

Varthaman was handed over to India by Pakistan after being in captivity for nearly three days.

He was captured on February 27 by Pakistan following a dogfight between two air forces in which his MIG-21 was shot down. 

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