One of the seven MPs chosen to lead an All-Party delegation entrusted with informing important foreign countries about the current India-Pakistan crisis and India’s position on it is senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor. The leaders who will represent India in its diplomatic outreach in the wake of the Pahalgam terror assault on April 22 and India’s retaliatory Operation Sindoor were named by the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs.
Following his open support of Operation Sindoor, Tharoor was added to the delegation. Internal conflict apparently resulted from his comments endorsing the government’s military action, and some congressional leaders voiced their dissatisfaction. Sharing the announcement on X, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju put forward a crucial message – “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,” he tweeted.
Alongside Tharoor, the other MPs leading the delegations include: Ravi Shankar Prasad (BJP), Sanjay Kumar Jha (JDU), Baijayant Panda (BJP), Kanimozhi Karunanidhi (DMK), Supriya Sule (NCP) and Shrikant Eknath Shinde (Shiv Sena).
Tweeting on the names’ announcement, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said that on the morning of May 16, Minister Rijiju spoke with the Congress President and the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha. Congress was asked to submit the names of four MPs for the delegations. Ramesh further said that the Leader of the Opposition had formally submitted the following names: Anand Sharma, former Union Cabinet Minister, Gaurav Gogoi, Deputy Leader, INC, Lok Sabha, Dr. Syed Naseer Hussain, Rajya Sabha MP and Raja Brar, Lok Sabha MP.
Each group, according to sources, will include five to six Members of Parliament and visit nations including the United States, United Kingdom, South Africa, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates. Invitations have already been sent out, and the foreign trip is anticipated to start after May 22.
This action is a component of India’s diplomatic effort to draw attention to Pakistan’s involvement in cross-border terrorism and to foster international agreement. Rijiju is in charge of organising the tour. The outreach comes after 26 victims were killed in the tragic Pahalgam terror assault. India responded by launching Operation Sindoor, which targeted cross-border terror infrastructure. Before both countries decided to de-escalate on May 10 after military-level discussions, tensions escalated as Pakistan launched drone strikes in retaliation.
