Shashi Tharoor along with Supriya Sule and Kanimozhi among seven leaders to front India’s anti-terror diplomatic blitz as Centre sends MPs abroad post Operation Sindoor

In India’s bid to combat cross-border terrorism, the Centre today announced seven all-party delegations of Indian lawmakers, which will visit several nations, including members of the UN Security Council, starting May 23. The all-party delegations are tasked with presenting India’s stance on terrorism to key partner countries.

“The All-Party Delegations will project India's national consensus and resolute approach to combating terrorism in all forms and manifestations. They would carry forth to the world the country's strong message of zero-tolerance against terrorism,” the ministry of parliamentary affairs said in a statement.

The seven lawmakers leading the delegations are Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, Ravi Shankar Prasad from the BJP, Sanjay Kumar Jha from the JD-U, Baijayant Panda from the BJP, Kanimozhi Karunanidhi from the DMK, Supriya Sule from the NCP-Sharad Pawar faction, and Shrikant Eknath Shinde from the Shiv Sena-NDA.

“In moments that matter most, Bharat stands united. Seven All-Party Delegations will soon visit key partner nations, carrying our shared message of zero-tolerance to terrorism. A powerful reflection of national unity above politics, beyond differences,” said Kiren Rijiju, minister of parliamentary affairs and minority affairs, in a post on X.

The government’s decision to include Tharoor comes days after he reportedly faced criticism from within his party for praising the Centre’s handling of Operation Sindoor.

In a post on X, Tharoor wrote, “I am honoured by the invitation of the government of India to lead an all-party delegation to five key capitals, to present our nation’s point of view on recent events. When national interest is involved, and my services are required, I will not be found wanting.”

However, according to a recent post by Congress Rajya Sabha member Jairam Ramesh, Tharoor was not on the list of members recommended by his party.

“Yesterday morning, the Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Kiren Rijiju spoke with the Congress President and the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha. The INC was asked to submit names of 4 MPs for the delegations to be sent abroad to explain India's stance on terrorism from Pakistan. By noon yesterday May 16th, Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha wrote to the Minister of Parliamentary Affairs giving the following names on behalf of the INC—Anand Sharma, former Union Cabinet Minister, Gaurav Gogoi, Deputy Leader, INC LS, Dr. Syed Naseer Hussain, MP, RS, and Raja Brar, MP, LS,” wrote Ramesh in his post on X.

The delegations are expected to include other MPs from across the political spectrum. Reportedly, among those expected to participate are Salman Khurshid, Manish Tewari, Ghulam Nabi Azad, Asaduddin Owaisi, Priyanka Chaturvedi, Sasmit Patra, Vikramjeet Sawhney, John Brittas, Krishna Devarayalu Lavu, and Ganti Harish Madhur.

The 10-day diplomatic mission by the MPs is expected to emphasise India’s position on terrorism and its call for international cooperation against terror networks operating from across its borders.

Operation Sindoor, launched on May 7, targeted nine terror sites across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. The operation, carried out by the Indian armed forces, reportedly killed over 100 militants associated with Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammad, and Hizbul Mujahideen.

Following retaliatory drone and missile exchanges between India and Pakistan, both countries agreed to a ceasefire on May 10 after four days of heightened tensions.