India Unites: Government to Send All-Party Delegation Abroad After Pahalgam Attack

New Delhi is taking a united front in the wake of the recent Pahalgam attack. Following the operation, the government is planning to send delegations comprised of members from across the political spectrum to various countries, including Europe and the Gulf.

Sharing a Unified Message

The aim of these trips is to present a clear and united message to the world about India’s stance on terrorism emanating from Pakistan. The delegations will highlight the Pahalgam attack, Operation Sindoor, and other acts of terror committed against India, while emphasizing the government’s diplomatic efforts against Pakistan.

Reaching Out to Opposition Leaders

The government has reached out to several opposition MPs, including prominent figures like Shashi Tharoor and Salman Khurshid from the Congress, Supriya Sule from the NCP(SP), Sudip Bandyopadhyay from the TMC, Asaduddin Owaisi from the AIMIM, Kanimozhi from the DMK, and B J Panda from the BJP. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju has personally invited these MPs to participate in the delegations, emphasizing the importance of a united national response.

Echoes of Past Diplomacy

This strategy echoes similar initiatives taken in 1994 and 2008, following previous attacks from Pakistan-sponsored terrorist groups. Notably, in 1994, the P V Narasimha Rao government sent a delegation led by then opposition leader A B Vajpayee to the UNHRC in Geneva. This delegation successfully thwarted a Pakistan-sponsored resolution aimed at censuring India on its human rights record in Jammu & Kashmir.

Domestic Political Implications

This move comes at a time when domestic politics are particularly charged. The Congress has been critical of the government’s handling of the India-Pakistan situation, accusing the BJP of politicising Operation Sindoor and questioning Prime Minister Modi’s decision to brief only NDA chief ministers about the operation.