New Delhi: Shashi Tharoor, Supriya Sule, Shrikant Shinde Among 7 MPs Leading India’s Global Anti-Terror Outreach
In a significant diplomatic initiative, the Indian government has appointed seven Members of Parliament (MPs) to lead international delegations aimed at reshaping the global narrative around terrorism, particularly in the wake of the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people.
The move is part of India’s effort to present concrete evidence of cross-border terrorism and advocate its stance of “zero tolerance” against terror on the global stage. The delegations will engage with foreign governments and international institutions, challenging the narrative pushed by Pakistan following the attack.
All-Party Diplomacy: A United Front
Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Kiren Rijiju announced the initiative on social media platform X, stating, “In moments that matter most, Bharat stands united. Seven All-Party Delegations will soon visit key partner nations, carrying our shared message of zero-tolerance to terrorism. A powerful reflection of national unity above politics, beyond differences.”
Each delegation includes MPs from across party lines, seasoned diplomats, and political figures, reinforcing India’s commitment to a bipartisan approach to national security.
The following lawmakers have been appointed to lead the seven delegations:
• Shashi Tharoor (INC) – United States
• Ravi Shankar Prasad (BJP) – Middle East
• Sanjay Kumar Jha (JDU) – Japan, South Korea, Indonesia, Malaysia
• Baijayant Panda (BJP) – Western Europe
• Kanimozhi Karunanidhi (DMK) – Russia, Spain
• Supriya Sule (NCP) – South Africa, Egypt
• Shrikant Eknath Shinde (Shiv Sena) – UAE, Africa
Tharoor to Lead Key US Outreach
Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, despite recent intra-party criticism over his statements on India-Pakistan tensions, has been entrusted with leading the high-level delegation to the United States. Tharoor’s team includes a cross-party group of MPs:
• Shambhavi Chaudhary (LJP-Ram Vilas)
• Dr. Sarfaraz Ahmad (JMM)
• Ganti Harish Madhur Balayogi (TDP)
• Shashank Mani Tripathi (BJP)
• Bhubaneswar Kalita (BJP)
• Milind Deora (Shiv Sena)
The delegation also includes former Indian Ambassador to the US, Taranjit Singh Sandhu, who will offer diplomatic expertise during high-level meetings in five key capitals.
“I am honoured by the invitation of the Government of India to lead an all-party delegation… When national interest is involved, and my services are required, I will not be found wanting,” Tharoor said on X.
Background: India’s Retaliatory Strikes Post Pahalgam Attack
The outreach follows India’s military response to the Pahalgam attack, in which the Indian armed forces launched ‘Operation Sindoor’ on May 7, targeting terror dens across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. The operations reportedly killed over 100 terrorists linked to groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM), and Hizbul Mujahideen.
In response, Pakistan launched drone and missile strikes toward India, all of which were successfully intercepted. India retaliated by targeting key military installations inside Pakistani territory.
A First-of-Its-Kind Diplomatic Push
This is the first instance of the Indian government deploying multi-party elected representatives as diplomatic envoys in an organized campaign to counter Pakistan’s narrative globally. It marks a significant departure from traditional diplomacy, underlining the gravity of the situation and the government’s strategy of presenting a united political front.
