India is embarking on a significant diplomatic mission involving seven all-party delegations of MPs to brief key global partners about the India-Pakistan conflict, especially in the aftermath of the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack and India’s retaliatory Operation Sindoor. This initiative signals a unified national stance on terrorism and aims to shape international perception regarding Pakistan’s role in cross-border terrorism.
Key Highlights:
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Shashi Tharoor, senior Congress leader and a former Minister of State for External Affairs, has been selected to lead one of the delegations. This move is notable as Tharoor publicly supported the government's military response, sparking internal discomfort within Congress ranks. His appointment underscores a bipartisan approach to India’s foreign policy outreach.
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Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju announced the formation of the delegations and emphasized that national unity transcends political divides. His statement:
"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."
Leaders Heading the Delegations:
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Shashi Tharoor (Congress)
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Ravi Shankar Prasad (BJP)
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Sanjay Kumar Jha (JDU)
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Baijayant Panda (BJP)
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Kanimozhi Karunanidhi (DMK)
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Supriya Sule (NCP)
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Shrikant Eknath Shinde (Shiv Sena)
Congress Participation:
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Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi were consulted by Minister Rijiju.
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Congress submitted four MP names for participation:
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Anand Sharma
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Gaurav Gogoi
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Dr. Syed Naseer Hussain
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Raja Brar
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Mission Objectives:
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Defend and promote India’s position on the Pahalgam attack and Operation Sindoor.
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Counter Pakistan’s narrative on the global stage.
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Reinforce India’s zero-tolerance policy toward terrorism.
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Stress the unity of Indian political leadership across party lines.
Destinations and Timeline:
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Countries targeted include: USA, UK, South Africa, Qatar, UAE, among others.
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The delegations will commence their visits after May 22, with diplomatic invitations already dispatched.
Context:
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The Pahalgam terror attack killed 26 civilians.
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India responded with Operation Sindoor, striking terror bases across the border.
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Pakistan retaliated with drone strikes, leading to a tense standoff.
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Military-level talks on May 10 led to mutual de-escalation.
Significance:
This outreach is not just strategic diplomacy—it’s also about optics and messaging. Analysts note that leaders like Tharoor and potentially Asaduddin Owaisi (though not confirmed in the delegations) could project India's pluralistic and united front effectively. Their intellectual credibility and global communication skills are seen as assets in narrative warfare with Pakistan.
The move underscores India's intent to reshape global discourse on terrorism, particularly vis-à -vis Pakistan’s alleged complicity, while showcasing that internal political differences are secondary when national security is at stake.
