In a massive diplomatic development, the centre under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi has decided to send multi-party parliamentary delegations to multiple countries in the coming days to expose Pakistan's role in the recent Pahalgam terror attack and to gather global support against cross-border terrorism.
The 48-member delegation from different parties in India will present evidence against Pakistan and New Delhi's stance to foreign governments and institutions while travelling to several countries from May 22 to June 1.
Citing sources, news agency IANS confirmed that Minister of Parliamentary and Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju would lead the delegation, dividing it into eight groups, consisting of six members each.
Several prominent figures from the BJP-led government and Opposition parties, like Congress MPs Shashi Tharoor and Manish Tewari, Punjab MP Vikramjit Singh Sahney, AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi, and others are part of these delegations.
Congress Says Will Participate
Supporting the move, Congress general secretary in charge of communications, Jairam Ramesh, claimed on Friday that his party has always taken a position in the supreme national interest, therefore, the INC will definitely be a part of these delegations.
"The Prime Minister has refused to chair two all-party meetings on the Pahalgam terror attacks and Operation Sindoor. The Prime Minister has not agreed to call a special session of Parliament that the Indian National Congress has been demanding to demonstrate a collective will and reiterate the resolution passed unanimously by Parliament on February 22, 1994," Ramesh said in a post on his social media platform X.
"Now suddenly the PM has decided to send multi-party delegations abroad to explain India's stand on terrorism from Pakistan. The Indian National Congress always takes a position in the supreme national interest and never politicises national security issues like the BJP does. Hence, the INC will definitely be a part of these delegations," he added.
According to sources, the decision to send these parliamentary delegations comes in response to Pakistan’s ongoing efforts, as well as comments by U.S. President Donald Trump, aimed at internationalising the Kashmir issue — a matter India maintains is strictly bilateral.
This move marks the first time the Modi government has appointed elected representatives from various political parties as diplomatic emissaries to counter Pakistan’s narrative on a global platform.
The delegations have a dual objective: to brief other countries about the deadly Pahalgam attack that claimed 26 lives, and to explain that India's ‘Operation Sindoor’ was a targeted strike on terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan-occupied areas, not an attack on civilians.
“The aim is to break the narrative being spun by Pakistan and its sympathisers,” said a senior official who is part of the planning.
The Ministry of External Affairs, working in coordination with the Intelligence and Defence agencies, is preparing comprehensive dossiers and key talking points for the delegations. Indian embassies in the respective countries will support the MPs by organising meetings and offering strategic on-ground assistance to enhance the impact of their outreach.
The MPs are expected to highlight how Pakistan has systematically employed terrorism as a tool of state policy to destabilise India, presenting concrete intelligence on terror training camps, recruitment channels, and ISI’s involvement.
They will also emphasise that Pakistan’s retaliatory response to ‘Operation Sindoor’ further exposes its active role in harboring and aiding terrorist organisations. This global diplomatic campaign aims not only to diplomatically isolate Pakistan but also to bolster India’s standing ahead of major international forums and bilateral discussions.
MEA To Brief MPs Before Visiting Different Countries
Indicating sources, news agency PTI confirmed that some former ministers will lead the delegations of MPs from different parties to different countries across the world. However, clarity on the exact number of delegations or their members remains unclear, but some leaders claimed that more than 30 MPs could participate. They will visit different blocs of countries for 10 days.
Prior to their departure, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) will brief the MPs.
A leader from one of the political parties approached for the initiative said they were informed to be prepared to depart around May 22–23 for a 10-day trip, and that the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) would follow up with further details, including the travel schedule.
According to sources, BJP leaders such as former Union Minister Anurag Thakur and Odisha MP Aparajita Sarangi are among those selected to join the delegations. Other BJP members expected to participate include former Union Ministers Ravi Shankar Prasad and Rajiv Pratap Rudy, as well as MPs Samik Bhattacharya and Brij Lal.
The government has also reached out to at least four Congress MPs, along with members of other parties, to take part in the diplomatic mission. Congress representatives on the list include Shashi Tharoor, Manish Tewari, Salman Khurshid, and Amar Singh. The party has confirmed its participation, sources added.
According to sources, several prominent leaders from various parties are also being considered for the delegations. These include the TMC’s Sudip Bandyopadhyay, JDU’s Sanjay Jha, BJD’s Sasmit Patra, CPI(M)’s John Brittas, Shiv Sena (UBT)’s Priyanka Chaturvedi, NCP (SP)’s Supriya Sule, DMK’s K Kanimozhi, AIMIM’s Asaduddin Owaisi, and AAP’s Vikramjit Sawhney.
Sources revealed that Congress leader and former external affairs minister Salman Khurshid has been assigned to lead a group of seven MPs on a visit to South and Southeast Asia, including stops in South Korea, Japan, and Singapore. Baramati MP Supriya Sule is expected to head a delegation traveling to the Middle East and Africa, with countries like Oman, Egypt, Kenya, and South Africa on the itinerary.
Congress MP Manish Tewari is being considered to lead a delegation either to Europe or the Middle East, with the government checking on his availability. Shashi Tharoor, meanwhile, is likely to lead the delegation heading to the United States.
Anurag Thakur is expected to join the group visiting the Middle East and Africa, while Aparajita Sarangi and Vikramjit Sawhney are slated to be part of the Southeast Asia delegation.
In addition, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Chaturvedi will be part of Saudi Arabia, Algeria, Kuwait and Bahrain's delegation. It will also include the Congress's Amar Singh. The former Union minister Ghulam Nabi Azad is also expected to be part of one delegation.
Each delegation will have seven to eight members and may visit four to five nations.
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