‘Differ Politically, But Not On Terror': Kanimozhi Says World Lauded India's Cross-Party Unity

News18

2 days ago

Last Updated:
India stands as one against cross-border terror, says DMK MP Kanimozhi.
In the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack and India's strong response under Operation Sindoor, a cross-party delegation of Indian leaders has returned from a global diplomatic outreach spanning over 30 countries. DMK MP Kanimozhi, who led one such delegation, on Tuesday said the unified political front left a strong impression abroad.
'The very strong message even before we spoke was that this was an all-party delegation, led by an opposition MP and comprising mostly opposition members. That itself spoke volumes," she told reporters. 'It showed that whatever our differences, India stands together in the face of terrorism."
Kanimozhi said many countries had already condemned the attack in Pahalgam, but direct engagement helped clarify India's position. 'We told them terrorism doesn't stop at India's borders, it spills over. The world must come together to fight it."
While in Spain, DMK MP Kanimozhi drew applause after responding to a question on India's national language by saying, 'The national language of India is unity in diversity." Her reply quickly went viral online. She also firmly stated that India is seeking to renegotiate the Indus Waters Treaty, calling it 'currently in abeyance," and added, 'India cannot be blackmailed. India cannot be silenced".
During their meetings in Athens, Greece, an all-party delegation led by the MP from Tamil Nadu received backing from the Greek government in India's campaign against terrorism, sources said.
Greece endorsed India's diplomatic boycott of countries like Turkey, which had supplied weapons to Pakistan and expressed solidarity with New Delhi's efforts to expose states that support terror. Greece also conveyed condolences for the Indian lives lost in the April 22 Pahalgam attack and backed India's right to respond, sources told News18.
The Kanimozhi-led team included Rajeev Rai (Samajwadi Party), Mian Altaf Ahmad (Jammu and Kashmir National Conference), Brijesh Chowta (BJP), Prem Chand Gupta (Rashtriya Janata Dal), Ashok Kumar Mittal (Aam Aadmi Party) and former diplomats Manjeev S Puri and Jawed Ashraf.
In Russia, Kanimozhi said the delegation met several Russian thinkers, lawmakers, and even the former Prime Minister Mikhail Fradkov, who now heads the Russian Institute of Strategic Studies. 'This country is a very important strategic partner and a very old ally of India," she said. 'We explained our position in detail—what happened before, during, and after the Pahalgam attack and sought Russia's understanding and support in the fight against terrorism".
'Terrorism is not just India's issue, it's a global challenge," Kanimozhi added. 'No country should be harbouring or supporting terrorists."
The delegation's itinerary included visits to Russia, Slovenia, Greece, Latvia and Spain to present India's position on cross-border terrorism to lawmakers, diplomats and civil society leaders.