In the wake of escalating tensions with Pakistan and the recent Operation Sindoor, India is launching a major diplomatic initiative to reinforce its stance against terrorism on the global stage. Seven all-party parliamentary delegations, comprising members from across the political spectrum, will soon embark on a 10-day mission to key partner nations and international forums.
This move underscores India's commitment to zero tolerance against terrorism, particularly in response to terror activities emanating from Pakistan. The initiative follows the deadly terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam on April 22, which resulted in 26 fatalities. Investigations linked the attack to terror outfits operating from Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). Subsequently, on May 7, India conducted Operation Sindoor, targeting and destroying nine terror camps belonging to groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM), and Hizbul Mujahideen.
The all-party delegations will engage with members of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) and other significant international bodies. Their primary objective is to project India's national consensus and resolute approach to combating terrorism in all its forms. The delegations aim to convey the country's unwavering message of zero tolerance against terrorism to the world.
The composition of these delegations reflects a broad representation across different political parties. Each delegation will include MPs from various parties, prominent political figures, and experienced diplomats. Shashi Tharoor, a Congress MP, will lead one of the delegations. Other leaders include Ravi Shankar Prasad (BJP), Sanjay Kumar Jha (JDU), Baijayant Panda (BJP), Kanimozhi Karunanidhi (DMK), Supriya Sule (NCP), and Shrikant Eknath Shinde (Shiv Sena). In addition to these leaders, BJP members such as Nishikant Dubey, Bansuri Swaraj, Anurag Thakur, MJ Akbar, Samik Bhattacharya, Daggubati Purandeswari, and SS Ahluwalia are expected to participate. Leaders from other parties, including Asaduddin Owaisi (AIMIM), Salman Khurshid and Manish Tewari (Congress), Ghulam Nabi Azad (Democratic Progressive Azad Party), Priyanka Chaturvedi (Shiv Sena (UBT)), Sasmit Patra (BJD), Vikramjeet Sahney (AAP), and John Brittas (CPI(M)), are also likely to be part of the diplomatic effort.
These delegations are scheduled to visit numerous key world capitals, including the United States, United Kingdom, United Arab Emirates, South Africa, and Japan, commencing on May 23, 2025.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju emphasized the significance of national unity in this endeavor. He stated that the initiative reflects a powerful sense of national unity that transcends political differences, highlighting that India stands united in matters of utmost importance.
This diplomatic outreach is part of a series of steps aimed at exposing Pakistan's role in sponsoring terrorism while attempting to portray itself as a victim. The move seeks to reinforce India's firm political resolve to combat cross-border terrorism originating from Pakistan.