India is dispatching seven delegations comprising members from all major opposition parties to key global capitals to brief international partners on its recent military operation inside Pakistan. The diplomatic outreach aims to project a united national front and reinforce India’s firm stance against terrorism following the deadliest conflict between the two neighbours in decades.
The government announced on Saturday that the delegations will visit important partner countries, including the United States, United Kingdom, and Japan, to communicate India’s “national consensus and resolute approach” in combating terrorism in the aftermath of the military strike.
The diplomatic efforts follow heightened hostilities triggered by a brutal terrorist attack on April 22, 2025, in India-administered Jammu and Kashmir, which killed 26 civilians. India blamed Pakistan-based militants for the massacre, prompting it to launch “Operation Sindoor” on May 7, targeting terrorist camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir.
For three days, the two nuclear-armed neighbours engaged in intense missile and drone exchanges before a ceasefire was brokered by the United States on May 10.
Each delegation will include five to six members of parliament from both the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and opposition parties to symbolize political unity. Notable figures leading the delegations include Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, BJP leaders Ravi Shankar Prasad and Baijayant Panda, and Supriya Sule from the opposition Nationalist Congress Party.
“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,” said Mr. Tharoor, a former diplomat and author.
Opposition MP Asaduddin Owaisi, also part of a delegation, stressed the importance of putting aside party lines for this task. “This is not about any party affiliation… We will have a more detailed meeting before leaving… This is an important task. I will try my best to fulfil this responsibility well,” he told ANI news agency.
Meanwhile, British Foreign Secretary David Lammy arrived in Pakistan for his first visit since 2021, pledging the UK’s role in transforming the “fragile ceasefire” into lasting peace. Following meetings with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and senior officials, Lammy emphasized ongoing efforts with the US and regional partners to foster dialogue and confidence-building measures between India and Pakistan.
“These are two neighbours with a long history but they are two neighbours that have barely been able to speak to one other over this past period, and we want to ensure that we do not see further escalation and that the ceasefire endures,” Lammy said.
Addressing the recent conflict, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif called for peaceful dialogue to resolve longstanding disputes, including the contentious Jammu and Kashmir issue.
“Without resolution of our issues, we cannot have peace in this part of the world,” Sharif said. “If peace comes, we can also cooperate in counterterrorism.”
Sharif praised Pakistan’s military response during the hostilities as a “golden chapter” in the country’s history.
India’s Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, however, issued a stern warning, promising “strictest punishment” if Pakistan fails to change its conduct. “When the right time comes, we will show the full picture to the world. We have kept Pakistan on probation. If its behaviour improves, then okay, otherwise, it will be given the strictest punishment,” Singh said.
