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The article details India's strategic move to deploy multi-party delegations to various countries to articulate its position on terrorism, particularly concerning Pakistan's alleged involvement. This initiative follows the Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor, events that heightened tensions between India and Pakistan. The Foreign Secretary, Vikram Misri, briefed these delegations, which included members from diverse political parties, underscoring the bipartisan nature of India's approach to combating terrorism. This briefing aimed to provide the delegations with a unified message and the necessary context to effectively communicate India's concerns and perspectives to international audiences. The composition of the delegations, representing a spectrum of political ideologies, signals a concerted national effort to garner international support and understanding for India's counter-terrorism efforts. This is particularly significant given the complex geopolitical landscape and the divergent narratives surrounding the issue of terrorism in the region. The inclusion of members from parties like Congress, JD(U), Shiv Sena, TMC, and BJP demonstrates a rare instance of political consensus on a critical national security issue. The delegations' itinerary spans across key global capitals, including the United States, the United Kingdom, the United Arab Emirates, South Africa, and Japan, indicating India's intention to engage with a broad range of international stakeholders. These engagements are crucial for shaping global perceptions of the situation and for building a united front against terrorism. The article highlights the key talking points that the delegations are expected to emphasize during their international visits. These include Pakistan's alleged role in sponsoring and supporting terrorism, its repeated violations of ceasefire agreements, and its attempts to spread misinformation about the situation in Kashmir. The delegations are also expected to underscore India's commitment to economic development and peace, contrasting it with Pakistan's alleged focus on terrorism. Furthermore, the article underscores the importance of the delegations' interactions with parliamentarians, think tanks, and the Indian diaspora in these countries. These interactions provide opportunities to engage in in-depth discussions, address concerns, and build relationships with influential individuals and groups. The Indian diaspora, in particular, can play a vital role in amplifying India's message and advocating for its interests in their respective countries. The strategic deployment of these delegations reflects India's proactive approach to shaping the international narrative on terrorism. By engaging with a diverse range of stakeholders and presenting a unified front, India aims to build a stronger global consensus against terrorism and to hold Pakistan accountable for its alleged actions. This initiative is also a testament to India's growing confidence and assertiveness on the international stage.
The briefing by Foreign Secretary Misri included specific details about India's actions following the Pahalgam attack and Operation Sindoor. A key point emphasized was that India's actions were targeted solely at terror sites within Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), explicitly avoiding military installations and civilian populations. This distinction is crucial in framing India's response as proportionate and targeted, aiming to minimize civilian casualties and prevent escalation of the conflict. The narrative presented to the delegations underscored that India's actions were a direct response to Pakistan's initial aggression, including attempts to attack Indian military installations and civilian centers. By highlighting Pakistan's alleged provocations, India seeks to justify its actions under the principle of self-defense and to counter any attempts to portray it as an aggressor. The briefing also addressed the issue of mediation, with Congress leader Salman Khurshid clarifying that while various international actors may have expressed concerns or offered assistance, the resolution of the conflict ultimately occurred bilaterally between India and Pakistan. This assertion reinforces the narrative that India is capable of managing its own affairs and that external intervention is neither necessary nor desired. Khurshid's statement that "When the matter escalated, it was between our two nations. When it ended, it ended between the two nations" further emphasizes the bilateral nature of the conflict and its resolution. He also noted that the de-escalation was initiated by the Pakistan DGMO, suggesting that Pakistan recognized the futility of further escalation. The article also highlights the importance of distinguishing between domestic politics and international diplomacy. While political differences may exist within India, the delegations are expected to present a united front on matters of national security when engaging with foreign audiences. This emphasis on unity underscores the gravity of the situation and the need for a cohesive national response. The delegations are expected to convey a firm message to world leaders that "enough is enough" and that Pakistan's past promises to act against terrorism have proven to be unreliable. This message reflects a growing frustration within India with Pakistan's alleged lack of action and a determination to hold it accountable for its alleged support for terrorism. The article further mentions the inclusion of TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee in one of the delegations, indicating a willingness by the government to accommodate concerns and ensure broad political representation. This inclusion, which followed protests from TMC regarding the initial selection of MP Yusuf Pathan, demonstrates a commitment to inclusivity and a desire to avoid any perception of partisanship.
The delegations' planned engagements with various stakeholders, including parliamentarians, think tanks, and the Indian community, are strategically designed to maximize the impact of their message. Meetings with parliamentarians provide opportunities to engage in direct dialogue with key decision-makers and to influence policy decisions. Interactions with think tanks allow for in-depth discussions and the dissemination of information to influential opinion leaders. Engaging with the Indian community provides a platform to mobilize support and to leverage the diaspora's networks to amplify India's message. The article also highlights the specific agendas of some of the delegations. For example, JD(U) leader Sanjay Jha, who is leading a delegation to Japan, Singapore, South Korea, Malaysia, and Indonesia, plans to emphasize that Pakistan has acted like "a thief asked to probe his own crime" whenever India has trusted its word on acting against terrorism. This analogy underscores the perceived futility of relying on Pakistan to address the issue of terrorism. Shiv Sena leader Shrikant Shinde, who is leading a delegation to the UAE and some African countries, plans to highlight Pakistan's links to terror incidents in India. This focus on specific terror incidents aims to provide concrete evidence of Pakistan's alleged involvement and to underscore the seriousness of the threat. BJP leader SS Ahluwalia addressed the issue of misinformation being spread by Pakistani media, particularly concerning the events of May 7th, April 22nd, and the period between May 7th and 11th. This highlights the importance of countering false narratives and ensuring that accurate information is disseminated to the international community. The article also mentions that the delegations are expected to emphasize that India has suffered from terrorism for a long time and that Pakistan has tried to spread terror everywhere. This historical context is crucial for understanding the long-standing nature of the conflict and the deep-seated grievances that exist between the two countries. The article concludes by noting that the tour is expected to last 10 days, commencing on May 23, and that the parliamentarians' groups are likely to visit several key world capitals. This indicates a significant investment of time and resources in this diplomatic effort, underscoring the importance that India attaches to this issue.
In conclusion, the deployment of multi-party delegations represents a multi-faceted strategy by India to address the issue of terrorism on the international stage. By engaging with a diverse range of stakeholders, presenting a unified front, and countering false narratives, India aims to build a stronger global consensus against terrorism and to hold Pakistan accountable for its alleged actions. The success of this initiative will depend on the effectiveness of the delegations in communicating India's message, building relationships with key influencers, and shaping the international narrative on terrorism. The long-term implications of this initiative could be significant, potentially leading to increased international pressure on Pakistan to address the issue of terrorism and to improved cooperation between India and other countries in combating this global threat. However, the challenges are also considerable, given the complex geopolitical landscape and the divergent perspectives on the issue of terrorism. Ultimately, the success of this initiative will depend on India's ability to navigate these challenges and to effectively communicate its message to the world. It is a crucial moment in India's foreign policy, with the potential to shape its relationship with the international community for years to come. The world will be watching closely to see how these delegations perform and what impact they have on the global discourse on terrorism.