India to send all-party delegations across world to counter terrorism

New Delhi, May 17: The Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs on Saturday said India will send seven all-party delegations to key countries across the world to deliver its message of zero tolerance against terrorism, following Operation Sindoor and the April 22, 2025, Pahalgam terror attack.
These delegations will visit members of the United Nations Security Council and other strategic partners later this month. The goal is to project a unified national stance against terrorism and counter Pakistan’s narrative on Kashmir and cross-border violence.
The delegations would visit about five countries each, including the United States, the United Kingdom, the United Arab Emirates, Japan and South Africa.
These delegations will include Members of Parliament from both the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and the opposition INDI Alliance.
The teams will be accompanied by senior diplomats and will brief foreign governments and international bodies about the Pahalgam attack, Operation Sindoor and India’s broader approach to combating terrorism.
The move follows Operation Sindoor, launched on May 7, 2025, in direct response to the Pahalgam attack, which was attributed to The Resistance Front (TRF), considered a front for the Lashkar-e-Taiba.
The operation involved 24 precision strikes on nine terror camps across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), resulting in the deaths of over 100 terrorists, including individuals linked to the IC 814 hijacking and the Pulwama attack.
The delegations also aim to push for international action, including the designation of TRF as a terrorist organisation by the United Nations. They will present India’s position and evidence, seek to isolate Pakistan diplomatically, and strengthen support for India’s counter-terrorism initiatives, a senior BJP leader said.
Notably, this outreach marks a rare bipartisan effort, bringing together leaders from both ruling and opposition parties for a coordinated diplomatic mission, similar to the 1994 initiative led by A B Vajpayee at the UN Human Rights Commission.
The seven all-party delegations announced by the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs will be led by prominent Members of Parliament from both the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and the opposition INDIA bloc.
Each of them brings relevant experience and political representation to the outreach effort.
Shashi Tharoor, a Lok Sabha MP from Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, representing the Indian National Congress, will lead the delegation to the United States and other capitals. Tharoor expressed his gratitude for being invited to lead the all-party delegation.
“I am truly honored by the Government of India’s invitation to lead an all-party delegation to five key capitals, where we will present our nation’s stance on recent developments. When the national interest is at stake and my services are called upon, I will ensure I do not fall short,” Tharoor stated.
Ravi Shankar Prasad, a Rajya Sabha MP from Bihar and senior leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party, is also part of the initiative.
Sanjay Kumar Jha, Rajya Sabha MP from Bihar and National Working President of the Janata Dal (United), is also a part of the delegation. He serves as Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Transport, Tourism, and Culture and has held ministerial roles in Bihar.
Baijayant Jay Panda, Lok Sabha MP from Kendrapara, Odisha, and Vice President of the BJP, is another member leading the outreach.
Kanimozhi Karunanidhi, Lok Sabha MP from Thoothukkudi, Tamil Nadu, will represent the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam in the INDIA bloc’s participation. As Deputy Leader of DMK in Lok Sabha, her role in the delegation adds regional and opposition representation.
Supriya Sule, a Lok Sabha MP from Baramati, Maharashtra, and Working President of the Nationalist Congress Party (Sharad Pawar faction), is also part of the delegation.
Shrikant Eknath Shinde, Lok Sabha MP from Kalyan, Maharashtra, and leader of the Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde faction) in the Lok Sabha, completes the list of delegation leaders. He represents the Shiv Sena’s participation from within the NDA alliance.
“In moments that matter most, Bharat stands united. Seven all-party delegations will soon visit key partner nations, carrying our collective message of zero tolerance towards terrorism. A strong expression of national unity that rises above politics and transcends differences,” Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said in a post on X. (KNO)