India launches diplomatic push to mobilize support against Pakistan

Seven delegations will visit various countries, including Russia, to present New Delhi’s anti-terror case against Islamabad

India has said it will send seven multi-party delegations to various countries as well as the United Nations Security Council to convey its case against alleged terrorism emanating from Pakistan. 

“The All-Party Delegations will project India’s national consensus and resolute approach to combating terrorism in all forms and manifestations,” the Indian Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs said in a statement on Saturday.

“They would carry forth to the world the country’s strong message of zero-tolerance against terrorism,” it added.
The delegations include 31 leaders from India’s ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and 20 politicians from opposition parties, who will be assisted by former diplomats. 

Read more

The idea was formulated after New Delhi received what it perceived as poor press coverage in the international media regarding its brief military confrontation against Islamabad this month. 

Several Western media outlets have been accused of publishing pro-Pakistan narratives of Operation Sindoor, New Delhi’s military response to a deadly terror attack in India’s Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir last month.

The delegations will be visiting a total of 32 countries, including a stop at the EU headquarters in Belgium, with their tour scheduled to commence on May 23.

The first group of politicians will interact with officials in the Middle East, including Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Algeria. The second group will travel to the EU, UK, and other countries in the region, while the third group will meet officials in Japan and South East Asian countries, officials said.

The fourth group will visit the UAE and some African countries, while the fifth group is scheduled to tour several countries including the US, Panama, Guyana, Brazil, and Colombia. Group 6 will visit Spain, Greece, Slovenia, Latvia, and Russia, while the final group will travel to Egypt, Qatar, Ethiopia, and South Africa. 

Islamabad has announced counter-measures to the initiative. On Sunday, Radio Pakistan reported that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will send a group of high-level diplomats to major world capitals in an effort to counter India. 

Pakistan’s diplomatic delegation will travel to key cities, including London, Washington, Paris, and Brussels, “to expose Indian propaganda,” according to the report.

Former Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has been appointed by Sharif to lead the Pakistani delegation.