India has launched an ambitious international diplomatic campaign—Operation Sindoor—following the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. This comprehensive global outreach involves seven multi-party delegations comprising parliamentarians and former diplomats, who will travel to nearly three dozen nations to present India’s unequivocal stance on terrorism, particularly cross-border terrorism allegedly sponsored by Pakistan. These delegations will present evidence and engage with international policymakers, lawmakers, business leaders, and the media to project India’s message of peace, unity, and zero tolerance toward terrorism.
Unity in Parliament: Political Consensus in Action
In a rare show of political unity, the Indian government has included leaders from across the political spectrum in these delegations. Each team includes MPs from both the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and opposition parties, reflecting India’s bipartisan consensus on the issue of terrorism. Notably, BJP MP Bansuri Swaraj is part of the delegation led by Shiv Sena’s Shrikant Shinde, which is departing first for the United Arab Emirates. This team will also cover Liberia, Congo, and Sierra Leone in its outreach.
Former BJP MP SS Ahluwalia, BJD MP Sasmit Patra, IUML MP ET Mohammed Basheer, and Ambassador Sujan Chinoy are also key members of this delegation. The inclusion of members from DMK, JD(U), Congress, NCP, IUML, and other parties further underlines that India’s message transcends party politics—terrorism, especially cross-border terror, is a threat to national and international peace and security.
Defining the ‘New Normal’ in Counter-Terrorism
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, in his briefing to three of the delegations, emphasized that India’s military response—Operation Sindoor—was specifically aimed at terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), without targeting civilians or military installations. He reminded the delegates of Pakistan’s repeated history of dismissing evidence provided by India in past incidents, including the 26/11 Mumbai attacks and the 2016 Pathankot assault.
Misri highlighted that India remains committed to peace and economic progress, but will firmly retaliate against acts of terror as part of its ‘new normal.’ This global engagement is not merely diplomatic but symbolic of India’s evolving doctrine of proactive defense. “We will convey to the world that while India seeks development, Pakistan has made terrorism its primary export,” said Shrikant Shinde.
Strategic Country Selection: A Calculated Diplomatic Push
The choice of countries being visited is strategic. Of the 33 nations included in the outreach, 15 are current members of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), and five are expected to join in the near future. Other influential nations with strong global voices have also been prioritized. The aim is to counter any potential Pakistani narrative, especially since Islamabad currently holds a rotating seat in the UNSC.
DMK’s Kanimozhi will lead a team to Russia, Spain, Latvia, Greece, and Slovenia, while JD(U) MP Sanjay Kumar Jha’s delegation will visit Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, and Indonesia. Congress leader Shashi Tharoor, BJP’s Ravi Shankar Prasad and Baijayant Panda, and NCP’s Supriya Sule will head other delegations in the days to come.
MP Aparajita Sarangi, part of the JD(U)-led delegation, stated, “We want to ensure that no misinformation succeeds. This is not merely India’s battle. Terrorism is a global threat. Our goal is to deliver this message with clarity and unity.”
A Coordinated Global Message
All delegations will meet heads of state, foreign ministers, legislators, strategic think tanks, media houses, and diaspora communities. India’s core message is that it stands united across party lines against terrorism and will continue to respond with strength and precision to protect its sovereignty and citizens.
The outreach represents a significant moment in India’s foreign policy—a proactive, collective effort to reshape global narratives and rally support against terrorism. Operation Sindoor is more than a military or diplomatic maneuver; it is a declaration of a nation’s resolve to safeguard its peace, pursue justice, and ensure international cooperation in rooting out terror.
