Shashi Tharoor to Lead India’s Global Anti-Terror Outreach Amid Operation Sindoor Diplomacy
Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has been chosen by the Indian government to lead one of seven all-party delegations tasked with briefing key international partners on India’s position against cross-border terrorism following the Pahalgam attack and Operation Sindoor. Stressing national interest over political differences, Tharoor accepted the role without hesitation, calling it a duty to the nation in a time of crisis.
On April 22, a deadly terrorist attack in Pahalgam claimed 26 civilian lives. In response, India launched Operation Sindoor, targeting terrorist infrastructure across the Pakistan border. The operation, followed by Pakistan’s retaliatory drone activity, heightened tensions, which were later de-escalated through military-level talks on May 10. As part of a broader diplomatic campaign to counter Pakistan’s narrative and reinforce India’s zero-tolerance stance on terrorism, the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs has announced seven international delegations comprising MPs from both the ruling NDA and opposition INDIA bloc.
The delegations are set to visit strategic partner countries, including permanent members of the UN Security Council and nations with significant Muslim populations. The key objective is to present a united political front and reinforce India’s global messaging against terrorism. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju emphasized that this outreach reflects national unity above party politics, calling it a "powerful reflection of national unity."
Tharoor, known for his eloquence and international standing, expressed pride in being selected to serve during such a critical period. Despite reported internal disagreements within the Congress party—especially after Tharoor publicly supported the government’s response to the terror attacks—he reiterated his belief that national interest must supersede political considerations.
Interestingly, Tharoor’s name was not among the four MPs originally submitted by the Congress for the delegation. Jairam Ramesh, Congress General Secretary, clarified that the party had recommended Anand Sharma, Gaurav Gogoi, Dr. Syed Naseer Hussain, and Raja Brar, following discussions with Rijiju and senior Congress leaders including Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi. Nonetheless, Tharoor was independently selected by the government to lead one delegation, likely assigned to the United States, underscoring his global credibility.
Other leaders heading delegations include Ravi Shankar Prasad, Baijayant Panda (BJP), Kanimozhi (DMK), Supriya Sule (NCP), Shrikant Shinde (Shiv Sena), and Sanjay Jha (JDU). Each delegation will consist of 5–7 MPs from various parties, including Asaduddin Owaisi, Manish Tewari, Priyanka Chaturvedi, and Salman Khurshid (non-MP).
The delegations are expected to begin their outreach after May 22, covering countries such as the US, UK, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Japan, and South Africa. The initiative aims to strengthen international consensus against terrorism and highlight Pakistan’s involvement in destabilizing activities in the region.
