In a powerful diplomatic outreach following the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam that killed 26 civilians, India has deployed seven multi-party parliamentary delegations to 33 global capitals to present a unified stance against terrorism and mobilise international backing for its counter-terrorism efforts.
As tensions remain high with Pakistan following India’s precision strikes on terror infrastructure in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), the delegations have delivered a strong message: future dialogue with Islamabad must be confined solely to the issue of reclaiming PoK.
Trinamool Congress MP Abhishek Banerjee, addressing the Indian diaspora in Kuala Lumpur as part of one such delegation, said, “India has engaged Pakistan in dialogue for decades. But given the unrelenting cross-border terror, the only subject of future engagement should be Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir. Anything else would be futile.” Banerjee is part of the delegation led by JD(U) MP Sanjay Kumar Jha.
The delegation highlighted the brutality of the Pahalgam attack, which targeted civilians based on their religion and gender, and underscored the urgent need for coordinated global action against terrorism.
Echoing this sentiment in Algeria, BJP MP Baijayant Jay Panda led another delegation that engaged with Algerian officials, think tanks, and the Indian community. In a solemn ceremony, the group observed a minute’s silence and laid a wreath in memory of the Pahalgam victims.
“Terrorism is a global menace that must be confronted by humanity together,” Panda said. The delegation met Algeria’s Secretary of State Selma Bakhta Mansouri and briefed her on India’s Operation Sindoor and the retaliatory strikes against terror hubs across the border.
In Spain, a delegation led by DMK MP Kanimozhi Karunanidhi paid homage to Mahatma Gandhi’s bust in Madrid before meeting Indian diaspora members. “India is resolute and united in its stand against terrorism,” the delegation told the community, adding that their visit reflected a strong cross-party consensus within India.
The Indian community in Spain shared that their Spanish acquaintances expressed shock over the Pahalgam attack, revealing growing global awareness of the threats India faces. The delegation is scheduled to meet Spanish lawmakers and civil society groups to further explain India’s calibrated response and vision for peace.
Meanwhile, in the UK, BJP MP Ravi Shankar Prasad led a delegation that visited key sites including the Mahatma Gandhi statue in Tavistock Square and the Ambedkar Museum in London. The delegation recalled Dr BR Ambedkar’s role in drafting the Constitution and the tragic irony of the 26/11 Mumbai attacks being launched on Constitution Day.
“The Indian democracy is determined to defeat terrorism in all forms,” the delegation stated.
Congress MP Shashi Tharoor arrived in Brazil on Sunday to continue the outreach. His delegation was received by Indian diplomats in Brasília after concluding a visit to Colombia.
In Ethiopia, NCP MP Supriya Sule led another team that concluded its visit with interactions involving Ethiopian leaders, academics, and Indian expatriates. Sule’s delegation emphasised India's zero-tolerance approach to terrorism and shared details of Operation Sindoor and the targeted strikes in PoK.
The Ethiopian side also reiterated its commitment to fighting terrorism and condemned the Pahalgam attack unequivocally.
Across all delegations, India’s message remained consistent: terrorism must be condemned in all its forms and countered through united international action. The Indian missions abroad said the delegations also urged diaspora communities to remain resilient and actively support India’s global messaging.
Tensions with Pakistan escalated sharply after India’s May 7 strikes on terror bases in PoK. In response, Pakistan attempted retaliatory attacks on Indian military installations on May 8, 9, and 10. India, officials confirmed, responded forcefully, damaging multiple Pakistani military assets including air bases and command centres.
However, following back-channel discussions, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri announced on May 10 that both nations had agreed to an immediate cessation of military actions across land, air and sea.
(With inputs from agencies)
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