In the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack and the subsequent Operation Sindoor, India has initiated a global outreach program to present its stance against terrorism, particularly that allegedly sponsored by Pakistan. This initiative, named "Operation Sindoor global outreach", involves dispatching all-party delegations to key nations to articulate India's position.
The first of the seven multi-party delegations embarked on its journey on May 21, 2025, heading to the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Led by Shiv Sena MP Shrikant Eknath Shinde, this delegation will also visit Congo, Sierra Leone, and Liberia. The delegation includes members from various parties, such as Bharatiya Janata Party MPs Bansuri Swaraj, Manan Kumar Mishra, and SS Ahluwalia, BJD MP Sasmit Patra, IUML MP ET Mohammed Basheer, and Ambassador Sujan Chinoy.
Over the next four days, until May 25, a total of seven delegations, comprising 59 members of Parliament, former ministers, and politicians from across party lines, will visit 33 countries and the European Union headquarters in Brussels. These delegations aim to engage with parliamentarians, ministers, government officials, and think tanks to highlight India's firm approach to tackling cross-border terrorism following Operation Sindoor.
The delegations are armed with a dossier that underscores Pakistan's alleged support and promotion of terrorism over the decades and India's "new normal" in addressing cross-border terrorism after Operation Sindoor. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri briefed the delegations on the major talking points and global outreach plans. Shinde conveyed that the message would be clear: India is a peace-loving nation, but it will respond firmly to any attacks. He also asserted that India is focused on economic development, while Pakistan is allegedly preoccupied with fostering terrorism.
Other delegations are led by prominent figures such as Congress leader Shashi Tharoor, BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad, JDU's Sanjay Kumar Jha, BJP's Baijayant Panda, DMK's Kanimozhi Karunanidhi, and NCP(SP) leader Supriya Sule. These leaders and their teams will visit countries including the United States, United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, Spain and Egypt, respectively. The members will discuss major terror attacks allegedly sponsored by Pakistan, pointing out Islamabad's inaction despite evidence provided by New Delhi after the 2008 Mumbai attacks. They are also expected to highlight links between major international terror attacks and Pakistan.
Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju emphasized that this outreach initiative is not a political mission but a representation of the entire nation's resolve against terrorism. The initiative follows Operation Sindoor, which was launched by the Indian armed forces in response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that resulted in the deaths of 26 people, primarily civilians. Operation Sindoor involved targeting terror infrastructures in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. India claims that Pakistan attempted retaliatory military actions, which were thwarted by Indian air defense systems and security forces.
The selection of the 33 countries for these delegations' visits was done with strategic and diplomatic considerations to effectively present India's position on Pakistan-sponsored terrorism on the global stage.
