Delhi, 11 June (H.S.): On Tuesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi convened with all seven multi-party delegations that had visited 33 countries over the past two weeks to communicate India's position on cross-border terrorism and Operation Sindoor. Modi expressed pride in how effectively these teams articulated India's perspective, emphasizing the necessity of continuing such platforms to amplify the nation's voice. He highlighted the importance of unity against terrorism, as conveyed in his interactions with the delegates.

The meeting, held at Modi's residence, included 59 lawmakers and several former ambassadors. Modi conveyed his appreciation for their efforts in stating India's commitment to peace and the fight against terrorism. Delegation members shared their experiences and feedback from their diplomatic engagements, reflecting on how India's stance was received abroad.

Met members of the various delegations who represented India in different countries and elaborated on India’s commitment to peace and the need to eradicate the menace of terrorism. We are all proud of the manner in which they put forward India’s voice,” Modi posted on X.

On May 17, the government

the formation of these delegations comprising lawmakers from various political parties, as well as former diplomats, in response to the April 22 attack in Pahalgam. Congress leader Shashi Tharoor, who led the delegation to several countries, expressed gratitude for the chance to serve the nation. Notably, four delegations were led by leaders from the National Democratic Alliance, while three were helmed by Opposition lawmakers.

During the meeting, some delegates remarked on the surprise surrounding the collaboration between political rivals. The Prime Minister acknowledged this sentiment, noting that some international observers were taken aback by such bipartisan efforts. The discussions also included India's emerging diplomatic doctrine, which underscored a firm stance against terrorism, emphasizing that all terrorist acts would be viewed as acts of war, and received favorable responses in various countries, including those in the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).

In his address following Operation Sindoor, the Prime Minister stated that “talks and terror” cannot coexist, justifying India’s suspension of the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty due to Pakistan's support for terrorism against India. Shiv Sena's Shrikant Shinde, who led a delegation to multiple nations, noted broad international support for India’s anti-terrorism efforts. The Prime Minister highlighted that his personal relationships with global leaders, particularly with Saudi Arabia, played a significant role in garnering positive international reactions to India’s actions. He emphasized the importance of using all-party delegations and parliamentary friendship groups to enhance India's global diplomatic standing. Concerns were raised about India's attractiveness as an investment destination amid regional unrest, to which the Prime Minister responded by recalling a past experience during his 2012 visit to Japan regarding labor violence in India.

The meeting included prominent leaders from various parties, including BJP members Ravi Shankar Prasad, Anurag Thakur, and members from opposition parties like Congress and DMK. Prasad, in a press conference, shared that discussions with European leaders showcased evidence of Pakistan's connections to global terror. He stressed that the issue lies with Pakistan's military rather than its people, reiterating India's historical attempts for good relations, citing PM Modi's previous gestures towards Pakistani leadership, despite ongoing terrorist attacks.

---------------

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar