The first of seven multi-party delegations, which will visit different countries to put across India's stand terrorism following the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, is leaving for the United Arab Emirates (UAE) today.
The Centre, with multi-party delegations, aims to present a united front on the issue of cross-border terrorism. According to sources, the delegations are likely to also carry dossier on Pakistan's role in sponsoring terrorism in India with evidence to convince the host countries.
"While India is committed to peace, it will not tolerate any terror attacks on its soil and will hit back as part of its 'new normal'," Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri told three of the delegations on Monday.
The delegation, heading to UAE, is led by Shiv Sena's Shrikant Shinde and will also cover Liberia, Congo, and Sierra Leone. It comprises BJP MPs Bansuri Swaraj and Manan Kumar Mishra, former BJP MP SS Ahluwalia, BJD MP Sasmit Patra, IUML MP ET Mohammed Basheer and Ambassador Sujan Chinoy.
In a reference to Pakistan's offer of an independent probe into the Pahalgam terror attack, Misri noted its earlier behaviour of ignoring evidence and doing little when India presented it with facts following other terror attacks, including 26/11 in Mumbai and in Pathankot in 2026, the sources said.
"The countries we are visiting should be informed about India's stance. The way India has been fighting terrorism and dealing with Pakistan should be made known to the world. We will convey to the world that India is a peace-loving nation but if someone attacks us, we will respond. While India is focused on economic development, Pakistan is busy developing terrorism," Shrikant Shinde said.
Foreign Secretary Misri, as per sources, briefed MPs and other members of three such delegations, including diplomats, that Indian action under Operation Sindoor was targeted against terror sites in Pakistan and Pak-occupied Kashmir (PoK), and not against military installations and civilians.
"Pakistan is spreading lies across the world. It is our responsibility to explain to other nations through meetings with legislators, business persons, intellectuals as to what really happened in Pahalgam and the events that followed. India has always had the stand that this fight is not against common citizens. Terrorists came, executed their terrorist activities and our fight is against them," Ahluwalia said.
The seven delegations comprise 59 members, including 31 political leaders from the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and 20 politicians from other parties. They will be assisted by former diplomats.
The representatives are expected to meet government functionaries, including ministers, legislators, think tanks and the media during their visits to different parts of the world.
Two delegations - one headed by DMK's Kanimozhi and another by JD(U) MP Sanjay Kumar Jha - will leave tomorrow carrying India's message to key European nations (including Russia, Spain, Slovenia, Latvia and Greece) and Southeast Asian countries (including Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia) respectively.
"Our message to world leaders will be that India has decided 'enough is enough' and that Pakistan has acted like a thief asked to probe his own crime whenever India has in the past trusted its words on acting against terrorism," Sanjay Jha said.
The remaining delegations are scheduled to depart for other countries over the next few days.
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