Indian MPs' World tour builds narrative on Pak-based terror
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Indian MPs cutting across party lines have been able to create a strong narrative against Pakistan-based terror infrastructure around the world, from Japan to Colombia and the US to Africa, Russia, Southeast Asia and West Asia over the last two weeks.While most delegations are back in India after their multi-nation tours, the delegation from the US is expected to return on Friday. Speaking at the National Press Club in Washington DC on Wednesday, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, who is leading an all-party delegation to the US to brief key stakeholders on Operation Sindoor , dismissed the Trump administration's claim that its trade diplomacy played a major role in averting a full-fledged military conflict between India and Pakistan.During the visits, key stakeholders and ministers from across countries extended strong support to India's fight against cross-border terror as each delegation made presentations on the Pahalgam terror attack, Pak-based terror infrastructure and Operation Sindoor.While the delegation led by Tharoor convinced the Colombian government to withdraw a statement criticising India, another delegation led by JDU MP Sanjay Jha was successful in sensitising Japan on the menace of cross-border terror. Immune from any cross-border illegal migration and extremism, the Japanese society remains passive to the threat of cross-border terror, experts on Japanese affairs pointed out.In Brazil, the Tharoor-led delegation delivered a message on cross-border terror infrastructure which could assist in shaping the BRICS bloc's position on terrorism at the upcoming summit in Rio De Janeiro on July 6-7.The visits to Egypt and Indonesia were significant as both are attempting to blunt the Pakistani narrative in the Organisation of Islamic Conference meetings. While Indonesia (having the world's biggest Muslim population) has a principled position against any secessionism and terrorism, Egypt has a strong stance against terrorism and extremism.Similarly, visits by MPs to Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and the UAE were critical to reaffirm India's security partnerships. In Algeria, the Jay Panda-led delegation was successful in driving home the point of common threat from Pakistan-based Salafists.Congo, Sierra Leone and Liberia often do not receive senior-level political figures from India and therefore the trips by MPs to these countries, which are getting into the UN Security Council as non-permanent members, were important. Both Liberia and Sierra Leone extended special gestures to back India's approach on cross-border terror.While the visits to Russia and France by MPs reaffirmed India's strong security and defence partnerships with the old strategic partners, the trips to Italy, Slovenia, Latvia, Spain and the UK were significant to drive home the point how India has been a victim of relentless state-sponsored cross-border terror.In the US, the Tharoor-led delegation met the leadership of the Congressional Caucus on India and Indian Americans in the 119th Congress, co-chairs Rep Ro Khanna and Rep Rich McCormick and vice co-chairs Rep Andy Barr and Rep Marc Veasey. The parliamentary delegation briefed the caucus members on the cross-border terrorism faced by India. The Congressmen expressed unequivocal and bipartisan condemnation for the terror attack in Pahalgam.
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