Senior Congress leader and MP Dr. Shashi Tharoor will lead an all-party delegation as part of India’s diplomatic offensive against Pakistan under ‘Operation Sindoor’. The delegation will visit the United States and the United Kingdom, with plans to cover other countries such as South Africa, Qatar, and the UAE. The tour is expected to begin after May 22.
Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Kiren Rijiju is overseeing the coordination of the tour and has held discussions with Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge. The delegation includes MPs from various political parties, including CPI(M) MP John Brittas. Invitation letters have already been sent to the selected MPs.
The primary objective of the tour is to inform the international community about India’s position on cross-border terrorism and the necessity of Operation Sindoor. The MPs will explain how the Pahalgam terror attack led to the Indian counter-offensive and will emphasise that any future attacks orchestrated by Pakistan will result in similar strong responses. The mission aims to expose Pakistan’s role in harbouring and supporting terrorist groups and to garner global support for India’s security concerns.
This diplomatic initiative marks an intensified attempt by India to present its case internationally and counter Pakistan’s narrative in key global forums. The delegation will also highlight India’s commitment to peace while asserting its right to defend its sovereignty. However, the upcoming tour is expected to be a key moment in India’s ongoing efforts to shape international opinion on the issue of cross-border terrorism.
This international outreach aims to bolster India’s global stance and foster international cooperation. With diverse political representation, the delegation is poised to effectively convey India’s perspective on the recent conflict and its strategic priorities.
MPs have received invitations, and each delegation will comprise 5-6 members, their key task is to effectively communicate India’s stance and garner support from the international community, the sources added.
As per sources, the delegations will comprise prominent leaders and Parliamentarians from across the political lines. The groups will likely to leave for different destinations across the world on May 22- 23.
This will be the first time that the Centre will depute MPs from multiple parties to present India’s stance on Kashmir and cross-border terrorism originating from Pakistan.
Each delegation will comprise 5-6 MPs from various political parties, including NDA, BJD, Congress, and others, along with an official from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and a government representative.
MPs have been advised to keep their passports and other travel-related documents ready. The delegations are likely to depart India for various countries on May 22 -23 and return in the first week of June.
