An all-party parliamentary delegation, led by Sanjay Kumar Jha, a Rajya Sabha MP, has arrived in Seoul, South Korea, on Saturday, May 24, 2025, as part of the Indian government's diplomatic outreach to the international community. This initiative aims to reinforce India's stance on combating terrorism and to highlight the importance of Operation Sindoor.
The visit, scheduled from May 24-26, is expected to enhance ongoing efforts to promote India's firm position of zero tolerance against all forms of terrorism. According to a press release from the Indian Embassy in Seoul, the delegation will engage with senior officials from South Korea's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, dignitaries from the National Assembly, and prominent figures from think tanks and media outlets.
This delegation is one of seven multi-party groups India has deployed to visit 33 global capitals. Their mission is to communicate India's perspective on cross-border terrorism, particularly concerning Pakistan's alleged involvement, and to garner international support for India's counter-terrorism efforts.
The delegation includes MPs Aparajita Sarangi, Abhishek Banerjee, Brij Lal, John Brittas, Pradan Baruah, and Hemang Joshi, as well as former External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid and former Indian Ambassador to France and Bahrain, Mohan Kumar. Before arriving in South Korea, the delegation visited Japan, where they reported receiving strong support from Tokyo for India's fight against terrorism.
The diplomatic outreach follows heightened tensions between India and Pakistan after the April 22 Pahalgam attack, which resulted in 26 fatalities. In response, India launched Operation Sindoor, conducting precision strikes on terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir in early May. Subsequently, Pakistan reportedly attempted to target Indian military bases, leading to retaliatory actions from the Indian side. Hostilities de-escalated after discussions between the directors general of military operations from both countries, resulting in an agreement to cease military actions.
India's broader diplomatic campaign, "Operation Sindoor Outreach," involves multiple all-party delegations visiting various nations to build international pressure on Pakistan regarding its support for terrorism. These delegations aim to expose Pakistan's alleged role in harboring terror networks and to solidify global consensus against cross-border terrorism.
The selection of these delegations includes representatives from various political parties, signaling a united front in addressing terrorism. Their visits include meetings with government officials, parliamentarians, and experts, to share information and seek support for international counter-terrorism efforts. This proactive approach demonstrates India's commitment to tackling terrorism and ensuring regional and global security.
India and South Korea have previously collaborated on counter-terrorism initiatives. During Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to South Korea in February 2019, an MoU was signed between India's Home Ministry and South Korea's National Police Agency to enhance cooperation in this area.
The current visit by the all-party delegation further strengthens the relationship between India and South Korea in their shared commitment to combating terrorism. By engaging with key stakeholders in South Korea, the delegation aims to foster a deeper understanding of the challenges posed by terrorism and to promote collaborative solutions.
