Shashi Tharoor, a senior Congress leader, has been selected as one of the seven Members of Parliament to represent India in global anti-terror briefings. This decision comes in the wake of the deadly Pahalgam terror attack on April 22 and India’s subsequent military operation, Operation Sindoor. The Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs announced the formation of the All-Party delegation, which includes MPs from various political parties, to convey India’s strong stand against cross-border terrorism.
Tharoor’s inclusion in the delegation has garnered attention, especially within Congress circles, as he publicly supported Operation Sindoor. This endorsement reportedly caused some discord within the party, with certain leaders expressing reservations. However, the Parliamentary Affairs Minister, Kiren Rijiju, emphasized the non-partisan nature of the initiative, stating that in critical moments, the nation stands united above political differences.
The delegation, which includes MPs from parties such as BJP, JDU, DMK, NCP, and Shiv Sena, will visit key partner nations such as the United States, United Kingdom, South Africa, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates to articulate India’s zero-tolerance approach to terrorism. The tour is scheduled to begin after May 22, with invitations already extended to host governments.
The diplomatic mission, coordinated by Minister Rijiju, aims to garner international support against Pakistan’s backing of cross-border terror groups. This effort comes in response to the Pahalgam attack that resulted in the loss of 26 civilian lives. Following Operation Sindoor and an attempted drone strike by Pakistan, military-level talks on May 10 led to an agreement to de-escalate tensions between the two nations.
