Latest news with #Panda-led
News18
2 days ago
- Business
- News18
‘Our First Priority...': Owaisi Urges FATF Grey-Listing Of Pakistan, Calls Out Asim Munir
Last Updated: Owaisi was part of the delegation, which visited Muslim-dominated Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Algeria to expose Pakistan's support for cross-border terrorism AIMIM MP Asaduddin Owaisi, a member of one of the all-party delegations on anti-terror diplomacy, on Thursday, said that India's priority must be to ensure Pakistan is reinstated on the grey list of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), a global body that monitors countries' efforts to prevent money laundering and terrorist financing. Owaisi was part of the delegation led by BJP MP Baijayant Panda, which visited Muslim-dominated Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Algeria to expose Pakistan's support for cross-border terrorism. Speaking to CNN-News18, the Lok Sabha MP from Hyderabad said his delegation informed these countries that multiple emails—two of them originating from areas close to a Pakistani cantonment—claimed responsibility for the Pahalgam terror attack, where 26 people, mostly Hindus, were killed. 'The four countries we visited are very important for us, not just because they are in the Middle East, but also because they play a significant role in FATF. In the past, some of them did not object to Pakistan's inclusion in FATF deliberations. They are influential when it comes to Pakistan. Our first priority must be ensuring Pakistan is placed back on the FATF grey list. We hope our friends help include Pakistan again on the grey list," he said. Owaisi called for strict monitoring of loans to Pakistan from the Asian Development Bank, World Bank, and International Monetary Fund, saying these funds would go from their army to terror organisations, instead of going towards poverty eradication. The Panda-led delegation presented many examples and proof of how Pakistan supports terrorist activities, Owaisi said. 'I must say all members of the delegation tried their best. We were able to clarify any misconceptions or queries to the utmost capacity," he added. 'We were able to put forward the strongest case for India before the leaders of these countries," he said. India sent seven multi-party delegations to multiple countries across the globe to apprise them about the Pahalgam attack, Operation Sindoor, and Pakistan's continued support for terrorism, in the aftermath of one of the country's biggest military operations in recent decades—carried out in response to the Pahalgam terror attack—which targeted nine terror camps in Pakistan and PoK." Owaisi Calls Out Asim Munir Owaisi said that his delegation informed the four nations in West Asia about the speech delivered by Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munir, where he referred to Kashmir as a 'jugular vein' and expressed Pakistan's continued support for those opposing India. Pakistan promoted General Munir to Field Marshal — a five-star rank last held in the country in 1959 — despite India thwarting a failed military push by the cash-strapped nation following Operation Sindoor. India targeted nearly a dozen airbases in Pakistan and caused extensive damage, while Islamabad's missiles and drones were shot down by Indian air defence systems. What Is FATF? The Financial Action Task Force (FATF), an international watchdog, sets global standards to combat money laundering, terrorist financing, and the funding of weapons of mass destruction. Established in 1989 by the G7 countries, FATF is headquartered in Paris, France, and currently has 39 members, including major economies like the US, India, China, and the European Commission. Why India Wants Pakistan On FATF's Grey List If Pakistan is placed on the FATF grey list and subjected to increased monitoring, it indicates to the international community that the country has deficiencies in its anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing systems. This would result in reduced foreign investment and tighter financial oversight from institutions such as the IMF and World Bank, weakening Pakistan's economy and ultimately limiting its ability to finance terrorism. Pakistan was on FATF's grey list till 2022.
Mint
4 days ago
- Politics
- Mint
PM Modi to meet all-party global outreach delegations on Operation Sindoor next week
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will likely meet the members of all the all-party delegations once they return after India's global outreach on Operation Sindoor starting today. The meeting with the Prime Minister could be held on 9 or 10 June, according to reports. The all-party delegations that toured the world to explain Operation Sindoor are on way home. The first delegation led by Bharatiya Janata Party leader Baijayant 'Jay' Panda returns to India today, June 3. Panda's delegation, which left Delhi on 24 May, visited Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain and Algeria. Before the PM meets all seven delegations, they are scheduled to debrief external affairs minister S Jaishankar beginning June 3. Panda-led delegation's meeting with Jaishankar is scheduled at 2.30 pm today. The second delegation to return to India will be the one headed by Janata Dal - United's Sanjay Jha that will reach Delhi at 9.30 pm today whule the one led by Shiv Sena's Shrikant Shinde will reach India on 4 June. Seven delegations visited several countries to address audiences, policymakers, and elected representatives onIndia's position on Pakistan's decades-long promotion of terrorism and New Delhi's new normal in tackling cross-border terror after Operation Sindoor. The multi-party delegations—comprising 59 lawmakers, in addition to former diplomats — travelled to 33 countries, including the European Union. The delegation included MPs from multiple parties, divided into seven groups consisting of 8-9 members. A leader was assigned for each group, who led the delegation on a global level. The delegations were headed by senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor, Bharatiya Janata Party leaders Ravi Shankar Prasad and Panda, Janata Dal (United) leader Sanjay Jha, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam leader Kanimozhi Karunanidhi, Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) leader Supriya Sule, and Shiv Sena leader Shrikant Shinde. As many as 26 people were killed and several others injured in the terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam on 22 April. Indian Armed Forces launched Operation Sindoor on May 7, targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir. Key Takeaways The all-party delegations visited 33 countries to explain India's position on terrorism. Operation Sindoor was launched in response to a terrorist attack that claimed 26 lives. The delegations included members from multiple political parties, emphasizing a unified national approach.
New Indian Express
4 days ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
PM Modi to meet members of seven all-party delegations sent abroad to explain Operation Sindoor
NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to meet members of all seven all-party delegations that were dispatched to 33 countries following the deadly terror attack in Pahalgam on 22 April. The delegations, comprising 59 members, were tasked with exposing Pakistan's support for terrorism and explaining the rationale behind India's launch of Operation Sindoor—a strategic counter-terror initiative targeting Pakistan-based terror outfits. Senior leaders such as Shashi Tharoor, Sanjay Kumar Jha, Baijayant 'Jay' Panda, Ravi Shankar Prasad and others led the diplomatic efforts and will soon return to India. They are expected to present comprehensive reports on their respective missions and the responses received from foreign governments. According to a senior source in the government on Monday, the delegations are scheduled to return to India between 3 and 8 June. The first delegation, led by BJP MP Baijayant Panda, will be back in Delhi on 3 June, with the remaining groups arriving by 8 June. 'The leaders of each of the seven delegations are expected to prepare reports on the outcomes of their visits. During the anticipated meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, they may also submit these reports,' the source said. 'The meeting is likely to take place either on 9 or 10 June,' the source further added. Prior to the meeting with the Prime Minister, the delegations are scheduled to brief External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. The Panda-led delegation is expected to meet the EAM on Tuesday.
