Operation Sindoor briefing: Ravi Shankar, Shashi Tharoor, Supriya Sule, Kanimozhi to lead teams of MPs to US, UK, Japan

NEW DELHI: The Centre in a significant diplomatic outreach following Operation Sindoor is set to dispatch seven all-party delegations of Members of Parliament (MPs) to key global capitals later this month to present a united front against Pakistan-sponsored terrorism.These delegations will be led by Shashi Tharoor (INC), Ravi Shankar Prasad (BJP), Sanjay Kumar Jha (JDU), Baijayant Panda (BJP), Kanimozhi Karunanidhi (DMK), Supriya Sule (NCP-SP), and Shrikant Eknath Shinde (Shiv Sena).Each delegation will comprise five to eight MPs, including figures from the BJP, Congress, TMC, DMK, JDU, NCP (Sharad Pawar faction), BJD, Shiv Sena (UBT), and CPM. The initiative, coordinated by parliamentary affairs minister Kiren Rijiju, will see around 40 parliamentarians from across political lines travel to multiple countries—including the US, UK, UAE, Japan, and South Africa—for a 10-day international tour beginning May 23.The delegations aim to raise global awareness about Pakistan’s continued support for cross-border terrorism and to explain the rationale behind India’s precision strikes under Operation Sindoor following the Pahalgam terror attack.According to ANI, this is the first time that the Centre will depute MPs from multiple parties to present India's stance on Kashmir and cross-border terrorism.NCP-SCP MP Supriya Sule confirmed her inclusion and described the mission as a matter of national unity. “Yesterday, I got a call from union minister Kiren Rijiju, who asked me to be a part of one of these committees. It is very clear that when it is a question of our nation, we are all together, and we go to other countries to put forth our country's view,” Sule told ANI on Saturday.She further added, “Each committee will have five members who will tour for around 10 days, covering five to eight countries. The committees are likely to leave on 23-24 May.”The ministry of external affairs (MEA), ministry of home affairs (MHA), and parliamentary affairs ministry are preparing documentation and evidence to support India’s position. An MEA official will accompany each group to assist in briefings and presentations.Operation Sindoor, launched on May 7, was a direct military response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 lives. Indian strikes on terror launch pads in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir reportedly eliminated over 100 terrorists.The all-party outreach aims to showcase India’s bipartisan resolve in confronting terrorism and to convey to the international community that New Delhi maintains a zero-tolerance approach to terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.Meanwhile, Shashi Tharoor in a post on X said, "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. Jai Hind!"According to PTI sources, Ravi Shankar Prasad-led delegation is expected to visit Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain and Algeria, while Supriya Sule's team of MPs will be travelling to Oman, Kenya, South Africa and Egypt.The delegation led by Sanjay Kumar Jha is likely to visit Japan, Singapore, South Korea, Malaysia and Indonesia.