NEW DELHI — In a strong diplomatic counteroffensive following the Pahalgam
terror attack that claimed 26 lives in Jammu and Kashmir on April 22, India has
decided to dispatch multiple delegations of Members of Parliament (MPs) from
across the political spectrum to key countries around the world.
The objective is to expose Pakistan's alleged involvement
in the attack and to underline India's firm stance against terrorism.
Each of the seven delegations will consist of MPs from
different parties, prominent political figures, and senior diplomats.
MPs expected to lead the delegations include Congress'
Shashi Tharoor, BJP's Ravi Shankar Prasad and Baijayant Panda, JD(U)'s Sanjay
Kumar Jha, DMK's Kanimozhi Karunanidhi, NCP (SP)'s Supriya Sule, and Shiv
Sena's Shrikant Eknath Shinde.
According to the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs, these
All-Party Delegations will be visiting important partner nations, including
members of the United Nations Security Council, later this month.
"In the context of 'Operation Sindoor' and India's
continued fight against cross-border terrorism, seven All-Party Delegations are
set to visit key partner countries, including members of the UN Security
Council later this month," the ministry said in a statement.
"The All-Party Delegations will project India's
national consensus and resolute approach to combating terrorism in all forms
and manifestations. They would carry forth to the world the country's strong
message of zero-tolerance against terrorism," it added.
Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju,
posting on X, wrote, "In moments that matter most, Bharat stands united.
Seven All-Party Delegations will soon visit key partner nations, carrying our
shared message of zero tolerance to terrorism. A powerful reflection of
national unity above politics, beyond differences."
The countries where the delegations will be dispatched
include the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, South Africa, Egypt, the United
States, and Japan.
The delegations aim to communicate India's unified
political stance against terrorism and seek international support to hold
Pakistan accountable.
Other MPs expected to participate include BJP leaders
Anurag Thakur, Rajiv Pratap Rudy, and Tejasvi Surya, TDP's Lavu Sri Krishna
Devarayalu, Congress MP Manish Tewari, and AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi.
Sources indicate that the decision to send these
cross-party delegations is a response to Pakistan's increased attempts to
internationalise the Kashmir issue, as well as to recent comments by US
President Donald Trump.
New Delhi continues to maintain that Kashmir remains a
bilateral matter.
This marks the first time that the Modi government has
mobilised elected representatives from multiple political parties as diplomatic
emissaries to challenge Pakistan's narrative on the global stage.
The focus of the delegations will be two-fold: To brief
foreign governments about the Pahalgam terror attack and to clarify that
'Operation Sindoor' targeted terror infrastructure in Pakistan-occupied
territories, without endangering civilian lives.
