In a significant diplomatic move, India is dispatching seven multi-party delegations to various countries to expose Pakistan's alleged support for terrorism and to reinforce India's zero-tolerance policy on the global stage. This initiative comes in the wake of heightened tensions and military actions, including "Operation Sindoor," launched by India in response to a terror attack in Indian-administered Kashmir. The delegations comprise Members of Parliament from various political parties, demonstrating a united front on this critical national issue.
Spearheading this effort, Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju announced the list of leaders who will be leading these delegations. These leaders include prominent figures such as Shashi Tharoor, Asaduddin Owaisi, Supriya Sule, Ravi Shankar Prasad, Sanjay Kumar Jha, Baijayant Panda, Kanimozhi Karunanidhi, and Shrikant Eknath Shinde. Their diverse backgrounds and political affiliations aim to present a comprehensive and unified message to the international community.
Asaduddin Owaisi, the chief of AIMIM and a Member of Parliament from Hyderabad, has stated his intention to "reveal Pakistan's motives" to foreign governments. He emphasized that India has been a victim of Pakistan-sponsored terrorism for a long time, citing instances such as the Kandahar plane hijack, the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack, the 2001 Parliament attacks, and the recent incidents in Uri, Pathankot, Reasi and Pahalgam. Owaisi aims to counter Pakistan's projection of itself as an "Islamic country," highlighting that India has a substantial Muslim population of around 200 million.
Echoing the sentiment of national unity, Supriya Sule, a leader of the Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar), has accepted the nomination to be part of the all-party delegation. She conveyed her gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Minister Kiren Rijiju, emphasizing that the mission is to convey India's united and unwavering message of zero tolerance against terrorism.
This diplomatic outreach follows India's "Operation Sindoor," which targeted alleged terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir in response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack. India reported that over 100 terrorists affiliated with groups like Jaish-e-Mohammed, Lashkar-e-Taiba, and Hizbul Mujahideen were killed in the operation. Pakistan retaliated with cross-border shelling and attempted drone incursions, leading to further strikes by India targeting Pakistani military infrastructure.
In response to India's diplomatic initiative, Pakistan is reportedly planning to launch its own diplomatic campaign, led by Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, to present its narrative to the world. This move indicates the escalating tensions and the importance both countries place on shaping international opinion.
The situation remains tense, with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi issuing a warning to Pakistan against any future terrorist attacks, stating that India would respond with a "fitting reply." Modi also asserted that India has only "paused" its military action and will retaliate if there are any further attacks.
These developments underscore the complex and volatile relationship between India and Pakistan, with terrorism as a central point of contention. India's decision to send multi-party delegations to key global capitals reflects its commitment to actively countering terrorism and garnering international support for its stance. The coming weeks will be crucial in determining the impact of these diplomatic efforts and the future trajectory of India-Pakistan relations.
