New Delhi: In a first-of-its-kind diplomatic campaign, India on Monday, May 19, launched a sweeping outreach to 33 countries in a united political front against terrorism. The initiative comes shortly after Operation Sindoor, a military response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, is aimed at countering Pakistan's global narrative and reinforcing India’s position before key global stakeholders, including the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).
Seven all-party parliamentary delegations, headed by prominent MPs including Shashi Tharoor, Ravi Shankar Prasad, Sanjay Jha, Supriya Sule, Shrikant Shinde, Baijayant Panda, and Kanimozhi Karunanidhi, are set to visit countries across Europe, Southeast Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and the Americas. By Sunday, May 24, all delegations are expected to be en route.
Why These 33 Countries?
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, who briefed the teams on Sunday, explained the logic behind the country selection. According to BJP MP Aparajita Sarangi, the outreach includes 15 current members of the UNSC, both permanent and non-permanent, as well as five nations expected to assume council roles soon. “Some countries were included because their voices carry weight on global forums,” she told reporters.
Sarangi, who is part of Sanjay Kumar Jha's delegation to Southeast Asia, added that this was about safeguarding India’s narrative internationally. “Pakistan will continue its anti-India propaganda as a UNSC member for 17 more months. It is our responsibility to counter that with facts,” she said.
Cross-Party Unity Against Terrorism
The first team, led by Jha, departed today for Japan, the first stop on a five-nation tour including Indonesia, Malaysia, South Korea, and Singapore. The group includes leaders from multiple parties including BJP’s Brij Lal, Prasan Baruah, Hemang Joshi, CPI(M)’s John Brittas, and TMC’s Abhishek Banerjee, who replaced Yusuf Pathan.
The next to depart will be the delegation led by Shiv Sena MP Shrikant Eknath Shinde, which includes BJP’s Bansuri Swaraj and BJD’s Sasmit Patra. All teams will engage with key stakeholders abroad, such as prime ministers, foreign ministers, opposition leaders, intellectuals, and members of the Indian diaspora, to present a united stand against terrorism.
“This mission is beyond politics,” said Sarangi. “It’s about sending a strong, clear signal to the world: India stands united against terrorism.”
