India goes on diplomatic offensive after Kashmir attack – DW – 05/26/2025
New Delhi has sent delegations to dozens of countries to bolster international support for a "zero tolerance" policy on terrorism that India says originates in Pakistan.
India last week sent parliamentary delegations to 33 countries on a diplomatic mission to drum up support for countering Pakistan-based militant groups Delhi says are behind cross-border attacks.
Tensions between India and Pakistan remain high following the killing of Hindu tourists in India-administered Kashmir on April 22. The attack killed 26 people, causing outrage in India.
Indian officials have said the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) Islamist militant group was behind the attack. On May 7, the military launched strikes, dubbed "Operation Sindoor," targeting what New Delhi said was terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir.
Pakistan responded with its own strikes, and four days of intense cross-border drone and missile strikes followed, until both sides agreed to a ceasefire on May 10.
India's global diplomatic offensive
In the wake of the attack and the resulting hostilities, both India and Pakistan have tried to shape the narrative on the conflict.
India's Foreign Ministry presents information on military strikes on Pakistan on May 7 Image: Priyanshu Singh/REUTERS
The Indian delegations, which included several political parties, were equipped with country-specific dossiers detailing Pakistan's alleged history of fostering terrorism, India's "zero-tolerance" policy on terror, and evidence linking the April attack to Pakistan-based groups.
"This is a political mission. We want to make a strong outreach to the world, to convey our resolve to fight terrorism," said Randhir Jaiswal, official spokesperson of India's Ministry of External Affairs.
"We want to exhort the world to hold those responsible for cross border terrorism accountable, those who have been practicing this for forty years against India — that is Pakistan — their actions need to be called out,' added Jaiswal.
Kashmir: The Pakistani militant groups India is targeting
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Pakistan's government strongly denies providing support for militant groups and maintains it had nothing to do with the April attack.
Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has called India's strikes "unprovoked" and an "act of aggression." Its Defense Ministry has said the Indian strikes hit civilian locations and denied that India had targeted terrorist camps.
Islamabad, too, has carried out its own diplomatic outreach, led by Pakistan People's Party chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari.
This delegation, although involving fewer delegates than India's, is similarly aimed at engaging key international stakeholders, including members of the UN Security Council.
The aim is to present Pakistan's case for its own security, focusing on issues such as alleged ceasefire violations by India, threats by India to cut off the Indus River's water supply, and Pakistan's position on the Kashmir dispute.
On Sunday, Sharif visited Pakistani ally Turkey as part of a five-day diplomatic tour.
India seeks support for its 'war on terror'
Policy experts and diplomats who spoke to DW said India's diplomatic offensive is a key element in its effort to present the strikes on Pakistan as a legitimate act of self-defense under international law.
"The inclusion of opposition MPs signals unity, lending credibility to India's position and appealing to democracies valuing bipartisan consensus," Anil Wadhwa, a former Indian diplomat, told DW.
Wadhwa added that the delegations "will counter the false narrative of Pakistan" rejecting involvement in the Kashmir attack.
"While the government has put forward its case forcefully and the domestic constituency does not need convincing, there could be some lingering doubts in the minds of international interlocutors because of the false narrative put out by Pakistan. This will be overcome by these efforts," added Wadhwa.
Kashmir: An 'underlying issue' in India-Pakistan relations
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India's global outreach was also highlighted by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar's recent visits to the Netherlands, Denmark, and Germany.
In a meeting with German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul last week, Jaishankar reiterated New Delhi's stance on fighting terrorism.
"India has zero tolerance for terrorism. India will never give in to nuclear blackmail. India will deal with Pakistan purely bilaterally. There should be no confusion in any quarter," Jaishankar told a joint press conference.
India amps up diplomacy
India has a precedent of sending parliamentary delegations abroad to build diplomatic support and articulate its foreign policy positions, especially during or after major crises involving Pakistan.
For example, after the attack on the Indian parliament in December 2001, former Prime Minister Vajpayee's government had sent multi-party delegations to brief world leaders about the alleged role of Pakistan-based militant groups in carrying out the attack.
However, the current delegation stands out for its scope and scale compared to previous instances.
"It is happening in a geopolitical landscape where India is a major G20 economy, a Quad member, and a key player in global forums. The Pakistani mission is not a match in terms of the scale and the breadth," added Wadhwa.
Ajay Bisaria, a former high commissioner of India to Pakistan, told DW that India's narrative "will resonate more globally with partners and multilateral organizations."
Bisaria said India's delegations also represent a strong national consensus and give India the opportunity to build international support in what should be a renewed global war against terrorism.
"It is crucial for India to bolster its global diplomacy, leveraging innovative approaches like parliamentary delegations to counter the Pakistan army's forced narrative and showcase India's measured responses to security challenges," he added.
Kashmiris struggle to make their voices heard
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Edited by: Wesley Rahn
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