Latest news with #ShrikantShinde
News18
2 hours ago
- Politics
- News18
'Terrorism In The Name Of Religion Must Stop': Shrikant Shinde's Team Secures Sierra Leone's Support
Last Updated: Shinde led an all-party Indian delegation as part of India's diplomatic efforts to raise global awareness about the growing threat of terrorism In a sharp and uncompromising message delivered from an international platform, Member of Parliament Shrikant Shinde condemned terrorism perpetrated in the name of religion and issued a stark warning to Pakistan. Referencing the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, Shinde stated, 'The attackers targeted victims based on their religion—verifying whether they were Hindu or Muslim before opening fire. The aim was clear: to disturb India's social harmony. This must stop." Shinde affirmed that India has adopted a zero-tolerance policy towards terrorism and is taking decisive action to expose and isolate state sponsors of cross-border terrorism. The statement was made during a high-level visit to Sierra Leone from May 28 to 30, 2025, where Shiv Sena MP Shrikant Shinde led an all-party Indian delegation as part of India's diplomatic efforts to raise global awareness about the growing threat of terrorism. The delegation met with key figures in Sierra Leone's government, including the vice president, speaker of parliament, deputy minister of defence, national security coordinator, and foreign affairs officials. During these meetings, Shinde reiterated India's zero-tolerance stance on terrorism and called for unified global action. The Pahalgam attack was unanimously condemned by Sierra Leone's Parliament, which also observed a moment of silence for the victims. Sierra Leone's vice president, Dr Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, expressed solidarity with India and condemned the cowardly attack. Deputy defence minister Colonel (Retired) Muana Brima Massaquoi and deputy opposition leader Daniel Brima Koroma echoed similar sentiments, with a strong call for African nations to unite and confront terrorism collectively. MP Shinde also engaged with foreign diplomats based in Sierra Leone, urging coordinated international action against nations that support or sponsor terrorism. 'Those who aid and sponsor cross-border terrorism must face consequences," he declared. The Indian delegation also interacted with the Indian diaspora and local media in Sierra Leone, reinforcing the strong ties between the two countries. The visit concluded with a united call for collaborative efforts at the United Nations and other international forums to safeguard global peace and take a firm stance against terrorism. First Published:
India Gazette
5 hours ago
- Politics
- India Gazette
"Backstabbed every time": all-party delegation urges diplomatic isolation of Pakistan for sponsoring terrorism
Freetown [Sierra Leone], May 31 (ANI): The all-party delegation led by Shiv Sena MP Shrikant Shinde called on the Indian community in Sierra Leone to diplomatically isolate and morally condemn Pakistan for its continued support of terrorism, highlighting a long history of betrayal in response to India's consistent efforts to promote peace. During a press interaction in Freetown, Sierra Leone, on Saturday, Shinde, along with BJP MP Bansuri Swaraj and BJP leader SS Ahluwalia, emphasised India's strategic response through Operation Sindoor while underscoring the need to combat terrorism globally, particularly in light of the Pahalgam terror attack. Shinde noted that Pakistan had backstabbed India time and time again despite Indian Prime Ministers personally visiting the neighbouring country to initiate peace efforts. He added that Indian citizens don't want war, but this time the attack was not on the citizens but on humanity; that is why Operation Sindoor happened. 'We are a peace-loving nation... Our Prime Ministers personally visited Pakistan and made a number of declarations... We always initiated peace talks with our neighbouring nation, Pakistan. But every time we were backstabbed by the terrorist attacks... Our citizens don't want war, but why did this Operation Sindoor happen? Because we were continuously attacked, and this time the attack was not on our citizens but on humanity... To defend our citizens and nation, we had to undertake this Operation Sindoor... But we only targeted terror camps,' Shinde stated. 'When the attack happened in Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir, the terrorists were asking the religion of the people they killed... After ascertaining that they were Hindus, non-Muslims, they were shot dead... There was a specific motive of the terrorists and Pakistan to destabilise the regional harmony in India... As Sierra Leone is very secular and progressive, people from different religions have representation in the parliament... The terrorism which is happening in the name of religion has to be stopped,' Shinde added, detailing the Pahalgam attack's communal motive. Meanwhile, Swaraj also called for global action for diplomatic isolation and a moral callout to Pakistan against their state-sponsored terrorism. 'As far as nations like Pakistan are concerned, which are terrorist-sponsoring nations that use terrorism to wage a proxy war and think that terrorism is the way forward for them, well, this is the time to isolate them diplomatically and call them out morally, and India will continue to respond to them strategically,' she stated. BJP Leader Ahluwalia also highlighted India's restraint, stating, 'Now ceasefire is there and we believe in peace... We have seen these attacks for the last 40 years... We have responded sensibly... We have not disturbed any Pakistani nationals, and even when the Pakistani army retaliated, we have not touched the Pakistani army establishment.' The delegation led by Shinde also includes BJP MP Atul Garg and Manan Kumar Mishra, BJD MP Sasmit Patra, Indian Union Muslim League's ET Mohammed Basheer and former Ambassador Sujan Chinoy. The delegation aims to brief international partners on India's response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack and its broader fight against cross-border terrorism while engaging with leaders. (ANI)
India Gazette
9 hours ago
- Politics
- India Gazette
Shrikant Shinde says Sierra Leone first to hold a moment of silence for Pahalgam victims
Freetown [Sierra Leone], May 31 (ANI): Addressing the Indian community in Freetown, Shiv Sena MP Shrikant Shinde, who is leading the Group 6 all-party delegation, stated that Sierra Leone was the first country whose parliament observed a moment of silence in honour of the victims of the recent Pahalgam terror attack. 'As we move forward and engage with different countries, we have consistently condemned this attack wherever we have gone. We have also strongly denounced the perpetrators of this attack. Wherever we go, people condemn that attack and the perpetrators. Sierra Leone is the first country where the parliament observed a moment of silence for those who lost their lives (in the Pahalgam terror attack),' Shinde told the gathering. He noted that the Indian delegation was receiving growing global support, with leaders across nations expressing solidarity with India in the fight against terrorism. 'I feel the purpose with which we are moving forward is gradually being achieved. We also feel a sense of satisfaction because, step by step, as we meet various leaders, we met the Vice President, the Hon'ble Speaker, and the Foreign Minister here, each one of them has expressed deep solidarity with India.' Shinde added that international leaders have been surprised by India's resilience and still becoming the fourth-largest economy. He said, 'When we share how India has been fighting terrorism for the past four and a half decades, and how various cities have been attacked over the years, they are surprised to learn how India, despite all these challenges, has emerged as the world's fourth-largest economy. This reflects the strength of India, of Indians, and of all of you who are helping take India forward.' He noted that the delegations are carrying out a global awareness campaign on terrorism because 'terrorism is no longer limited to India.' He said, 'We have been entrusted with a mission by Prime Minister Modi to sensitise the world against terrorism. This is the only such global initiative where delegations made up of Members of Parliament are travelling across countries to raise awareness. Because terrorism is no longer limited to India, it has reached the United States, the United Kingdom, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and one day, it may even reach Sierra Leone.' 'Until all nations unite on one platform against terrorism, this threat will not end. That is the message we are here to deliver, and that is why these seven delegations are visiting different countries. I believe the way we are sensitising other nations is impactful,' he continued. Shinde urged the diaspora to play a role as their participation will speed up their mission against terrorism. Shinde said, 'You, too, can contribute. Even if you are living far from India, each one of you holds influence. Each one of you is engaged in different industries and businesses, and that's a strength. If you decide to act as ambassadors of India and spread the message we've brought, it will help this global mission succeed even faster. We are confident that every nation will stand with India in the fight against terrorism.' He referenced India's recent military response against terrorism, saying, 'There comes a point where a country cannot tolerate any more, and we have crossed that limit. After pausing for fifteen days, we launched Operation Sindoor. This operation specifically targeted terrorist organisations and their camps.' He added, 'India is a powerful nation, and it has the capability to respond decisively. But this fight against terrorism is no longer India's personal struggle. India desires peace and harmony with its neighbours. Yet, for peace to be established globally, terrorism must end, and that is the message we are here to share.' Reflecting on the delegation's tour, Shinde shared his personal perspective, stating, 'I am the youngest in the entire delegation, and I believe that among all seven delegations, if there is any youngest member, it is me. The way this delegation is visiting different countries, meeting various people, dignitaries, and leadership, it's been a unique experience. We've had the opportunity to learn about different countries, understand them, and meet people. We were surprised to find such a large Indian diaspora in the West African countries. Usually, we think of the diaspora as living in the US, London, or Tokyo, but even in such remote places, Indians are present.' Earlier, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Sierra Leone, P Alghali, on Friday (local time), met with the Indian parliamentary delegation led by Shiv Sena MP Shrikant Shinde and condemned the recent Pahalgam terror attack. Other members of the delegation include Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MPs Bansuri Swaraj, Atul Garg, and Manan Kumar Mishra, Indian Union Muslim League's ET Mohammed Basheer, Biju Janata Dal's Sasmit Patra, BJP leader SS Ahluwalia, and former Ambassador Sujan Chinoy. The Shiv Sena MP Shrikant Shinde-led delegation also includes BJP leader SS Ahluwalia and former Ambassador Sujan Chinoy. The delegation aims to brief international partners on India's response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack and its broader fight against cross-border terrorism while engaging with leaders. (ANI)
India Gazette
13 hours ago
- Politics
- India Gazette
Sierra Leone Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister condemns Pahalgam terror attack
Freetown [Sierra Leone], May 31 (ANI): Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Sierra Leone, P Alghali, on Friday (local time), met with the Indian parliamentary delegation led by Shiv Sena MP Shrikant Shinde and condemned the recent Pahalgam terror attack. Alghali further reaffirmed that Sierra Leone, a non-permanent member of the Security Council, also expressed concerns regarding the attack in the Security Council statement. 'We have a very vibrant Indian diaspora population in Sierra Leone, and they have contributed a lot to the economy and the relationship with India. So consider yourself at home here. We are aware of the matter between Indian and Pakistan and the recent terrorist attack that happened in April. We condemn the violence and the loss of life of innocent civilians. We want to commiserate with India for that loss. As a non-permanent member of the Security Council, we expressed our concerns regarding the attack in Jammu and Kashmir as part of the Security Council statement that was put out on the 25th of April,' Alghali said. During the meeting, Shiv Sena MP Shrikant Shinde exposed Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munir over his provocative statement before the Pahalgam terror attack and pressed on Pakistan's motive of disturbing the harmony of India. 'If you compare both nations, if you see minorities, non-muslims in Pakistan, their population have drastically reduced. But in India, the minority Muslim population has days before the Pahalgam attack, the Pakistan army chief, Asim Munir, made a statement that Hindus and Muslims cannot stay together in Pakistan. That was the statement made seven days before, and they are still going on with the same statements, so that is also instigating the incident,' Shrikant Shinde said. Earlier, the Indian delegation led by Shinde also held discussions with Abdulai Caulker, National Security Coordinator of Sierra Leone, and his team in Freetown. Other members of the delegation include Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MPs Bansuri Swaraj, Atul Garg, and Manan Kumar Mishra, Indian Union Muslim League's ET Mohammed Basheer, Biju Janata Dal's Sasmit Patra, BJP leader SS Ahluwalia, and former Ambassador Sujan Chinoy. The Shiv Sena MP Shrikant Shinde-led delegation also includes BJP leader SS Ahluwalia and former Ambassador Sujan Chinoy. The delegation aims to brief international partners on India's response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack and its broader fight against cross-border terrorism while engaging with leaders. (ANI)
Time of India
2 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
India Pakistan News LIVE updates: Civil defence exercise postponed in Haryana, Rajasthan, Chandigarh
06:00 (IST) May 29 After concluding their visit to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Group 4 delegation led by Shiv Sena MP Shrikant Shinde, en route to Sierra Leone, stopped over in Lome, Togo. During the transit, they held discussions on Pakistan-based terrorism and Operation Sindoor at the airport lounge. BJP's Rajya Sabha MP and senior advocate Manan Kumar Mishra told news agency ANI that the delegation underscored India's need for Operation Sindoor and recounted the conversations they had about Pakistan during their visit. "We are telling them why we had to conduct Operation Sindoor and about Pakistan's terrorism. But it is a good experience to know about the people of Africa, their culture, and language. They are good people and this is a really good experience. The conversations we had with their diplomats, heads of states, and ministers regarding Pakistan, they heard us with concentration. They had come prepared on the subject matter. They were curious to know why our relations with Pakistan are deteriorating, they knew that Pakistan is a terrorist country but when we made things clear, they heard us well. Their response was good, that they would raise this issue in the UNSC and the African Union. We felt that they would raise this issue in their National Assembly and bring a resolution."
