India To Sends All-Party Delegations Abroad to Promote Anti-Terrorism Message
| 2025-05-18
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India to dispatch seven multi-party delegations globally to reaffirm its zero-tolerance policy on terrorism and strengthen international cooperation.
India to Send Parliamentary Delegations Abroad to Underscore Anti-Terrorism Stance
India is preparing to send seven multi-party delegations to several countries later this month in a diplomatic campaign aimed at reinforcing its zero-tolerance approach to terrorism. The initiative, announced by the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs, comes in the aftermath of Operation Sindoor and is intended to strengthen India’s global partnerships in counterterrorism efforts.
The delegations, composed of Members of Parliament from across the political spectrum, senior political figures, and seasoned diplomats, are expected to visit as many as 35 capital cities, including those of United Nations Security Council member states.
Cross-Party Participation and Intended Outreach
Each delegation will be led by a prominent MP representing a different political party. These include Shashi Tharoor of the Indian National Congress, Ravi Shankar Prasad and Baijayant Panda of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Sanjay Kumar Jha of the Janata Dal (United), Kanimozhi Karunanidhi of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), Supriya Sule of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), and Shrikant Eknath Shinde of Shiv Sena.
According to Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, the initiative serves as a “powerful reflection of national unity above politics, beyond differences,” and aims to deliver a firm and consistent message to the global community: that India does not and will not tolerate terrorism in any form.
“The delegations will carry India’s shared and unwavering message to the world,” Mr Rijiju said on social media.
Political Discord Amid Diplomatic Unity
Despite the emphasis on bipartisan collaboration, the initiative has been marred by political controversy. The Indian National Congress has accused the central government of bypassing the party’s officially nominated representatives. Congress spokesperson Jairam Ramesh criticised the move as “dishonest and mischievous,” claiming that the Modi-led government disregarded the names submitted by the party leadership.
According to Mr Ramesh, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi were consulted by the government and subsequently proposed four MPs—Anand Sharma, Gaurav Gogoi, Syed Naseer Hussain, and Amrinder Singh Raja Warring—as potential delegates. However, none were included in the final list.
Instead, the government selected Shashi Tharoor, among others, prompting internal friction within the party. While Mr Tharoor accepted the invitation, stating he would not “be found wanting when national interest is involved,” Mr Ramesh responded sharply, saying there is a “world of difference between being in the Congress and being of the Congress.”
Delegation Itineraries and Diplomatic Objectives
Each group of delegates will travel to a different set of countries. For example, Mr Prasad’s team is scheduled to visit Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain and Algeria. Ms Sule’s delegation will travel to Oman, Kenya, South Africa and Egypt. Mr Jha’s delegation is expected to cover Japan, Singapore, South Korea, Malaysia and Indonesia, while Mr Shinde’s group will visit the United Arab Emirates and select African nations.
According to BJP MP Baijayant Panda, the delegations will aim to counter what he described as Pakistan’s misinformation campaigns, particularly regarding the region of Jammu and Kashmir. “We must engage not only with governments but also with foreign media, academia, and opinion-makers,” Mr Panda said.
The delegations will also include a mix of other MPs and political figures, including Asaduddin Owaisi, Anurag Thakur, Manish Tewari, Salman Khurshid, and Priyanka Chaturvedi. While some have welcomed the opportunity, others have raised concerns about the lack of transparency in the selection process.
Broader Context: India’s Counterterrorism Strategy
India’s move follows Operation Sindoor, a recent military initiative targeting cross-border threats. The campaign is widely viewed as a signal to actors accused of harbouring or supporting terrorism, particularly Pakistan’s military establishment.
By engaging directly with global partners through these delegations, India aims to reinforce its long-standing call for decisive international action against terrorism. The inclusion of Muslim-majority countries, such as Indonesia and Saudi Arabia, in the itinerary suggests an effort to engage constructively with influential voices in the Islamic world.
The Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs has stated that the delegations will serve as a platform to communicate India’s “national consensus and resolute approach to combating terrorism,” echoing long-held diplomatic efforts to build a unified global front on the issue.
Uncertainty Over Final Delegation Lists
It remains unclear whether the central government will accommodate the Congress’s demands to include its nominated members. The evolving situation continues to highlight the challenges of achieving non-partisan consensus in India’s domestic politics, even on matters of national security.
The government, however, appears committed to proceeding with its selected delegates. The outreach effort is expected to continue into the coming weeks as each group departs for their assigned countries, with the stated goal of reinforcing India’s position as a reliable partner in the global fight against terrorism.
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