New Delhi, May 21, 2025: India has launched a significant diplomatic campaign under Operation Sindoor, deploying 59 Members of Parliament (MPs) across 33 countries to expose Pakistan’s role in supporting terrorism. These MPs, divided into seven all-party delegations, aim to highlight India’s zero-tolerance policy on terrorism and the strategic intent behind Operation Sindoor. On May 21, 2025, two delegations—led by JDU MP Sanjay Kumar Jha and Shiv Sena MP Shrikant Eknath Shinde—totaling 17 MPs, departed. Sanjay Jha’s team left this morning, while Shrikant Shinde’s group is scheduled to depart at 9 PM IST.
Objective of Operation Sindoor and Five Key Messages
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri briefed the MPs on May 20, 2025, about Operation Sindoor’s background and its diplomatic and military significance. Accompanied by eight former diplomats, the delegations will convey five key messages to global leaders:
- Zero Tolerance for Terrorism: Operation Sindoor was a precise strike against terrorist infrastructure. Pakistan’s military retaliated, perceiving it as an attack, but India’s focus remained on neutralizing terror bases.
- Pakistan’s Role in Terrorism: MPs will present evidence linking Pakistan-backed groups like The Resistance Front (TRF) to the Pulwama attack, along with a history of past attacks.
- India’s Responsible Approach: India ensured no harm to Pakistani civilians during the operation and promptly accepted Pakistan’s ceasefire request, demonstrating restraint.
- Global Unity Against Terrorism: The MPs will urge nations to view the India-Pakistan conflict as a broader fight against terrorism and seek international cooperation.
- India’s Proactive Stance: India will adopt a proactive approach to neutralize cross-border threats preemptively, moving away from a passive stance.
Delegation Details: Leaders, Members, and Destinations
The 59 MPs are divided into seven delegations, each supported by a former diplomat. Below is the detailed list of all delegations, their leaders, members, and destinations:
Delegation 1 (Departed Today): Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Algeria
Leader: Vijayant Panda (BJP, MP) Members:
- Dr. Nishikant Dubey (BJP, MP)
- Faggan Konyak (BJP, MP)
- Rekha Sharma (BJP, MP)
- Asuddin Owaisi (AIMIM, MP)
- Satnam Singh Sandhu (Nominated)
- Gulam Nabi Azad (DPAP)
- Harsh Sangla (Rajdut)
Delegation 2: UK, France, Germany, EU, Italy, Denmark
Leader: Ravishankar Prasad (BJP, MP) Members:
- Dr. Tangubati Purendeswari (BJP, MP)
- Priyanka Chaturvedi (Shiv Sena-UBT, MP)
- Gulam Ali Khatana (Nominated)
- Dr. Amar Singh (Congress, MP)
- Samik Bhattacharya (BJP, MP)
- M J Akbar (Nominated)
- Pankaj Saran (Rajdut)
Delegation 3: Indonesia, Malaysia, South Korea, Japan, Singapore
Leader: Sanjay Kumar Jha (JDU, MP) Members:
- Aparajita Sarangi (BJP, MP)
- Abhishek Banerjee (TMC, MP)
- Buzo Lal (BJP, MP)
- Dr. John Brittas (CPI(M), MP)
- Shri Pradan Baruah (BJP, MP)
- Dr. Hemang Joshi (BJP, MP)
- Salman Khurshid (Congress)
- Mohan Kumar (Rajdut)
Delegation 4 (Departing Today at 9 PM): UAE, Liberia, Congo, Sierra Leone
Leader: Shrikant Eknath Shinde (Shiv Sena, MP) Members:
- Bansuri Swaraj (BJP, MP)
- Inti Mohammad Bashir (IUML, MP)
- Anil Garg (BJP, MP)
- Dr. Sasmit Patra (BJD, MP)
- Manan Kumar Mishra (BJP, MP)
- S S Ahluwalia (BJP, Leader)
- Sujan Chinoy (Rajdut)
Delegation 5: USA, Panama, Guyana, Brazil, Colombia
Leader: Shashi Tharoor (Congress, MP) Members:
- Shambhavi (LJP-Ram Vilas, MP)
- Dr. Sarfaraz Ahmad (JMM, MP)
- Jeetm Harish Balwantgi (TDP, MP)
- Shashank Mani Tripathi (BJP, MP)
- Mruneshwar Kalita (BJP, MP)
- Milind Murli Deora (Shiv Sena, MP)
- Taranjeet Singh Sandhu (Rajdut)
- Tejswi Surya (BJP, MP)
Delegation 6: Spain, Greece, Slovenia, Latvia, Russia
Leader: Kanimozhi Karunanidhi (DMK, MP) Members:
- Rajiv Ray (RSP, MP)
- Miya Altaf Ahmad (NC, MP)
- Kapten Brijesh Choti (BJP, MP)
- Prem Chand Gupta (RJD, MP)
- Dr. Ashok Kumar Mittal (AAP, MP)
- Manjiv S Puri (Rajdut)
- Javed Ashraf (Rajdut)
Delegation 7: Egypt, Qatar, Ethiopia, South Africa
Leader: Supriya Sule (NCP-SCP, MP) Members:
- Rajiv Pratap Rudy (BJP, MP)
- Vikramjeet Singh Sahni (AAP, MP)
- Manish Tewari (Congress, MP)
- Anurag Singh Thakur (BJP, MP)
- Lavu Shri Krishna Devarayalu (TDP, MP)
- Anand Sharma (Congress)
- V. Muraleedharan (Likely BJP, MP/Leader)
- Syed Akbaruddin (Rajdut)
Political Updates: TMC and Congress Concerns
TMC Change: Initially, TMC MP Yusuf Pathan was listed, but TMC chief Mamata Banerjee objected to his inclusion without party consultation. After discussions with Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, Abhishek Banerjee replaced Pathan in Delegation 3.
Congress Criticism: Congress submitted four names—Anand Sharma, Gaurav Gogoi, Syed Naseer Hussain, and Amarinder Singh Raja Warring—but only Anand Sharma was selected (Delegation 7). On May 17, 2025, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh criticized the Modi government on X, alleging “insincerity” and accusing it of playing “cheap political games” on national issues.
Background of Operation Sindoor
On May 7, 2025, India executed Operation Sindoor, targeting nine terrorist bases in Pakistan and PoK in response to the April 22 Pulwama attack, which killed 26 civilians. Using advanced systems like S-400, Barak-8, and Akash missiles, the Indian Air Force eliminated over 100 terrorists from groups such as Jaish-e-Mohammed, Lashkar-e-Taiba, and Hizbul Mujahideen.
India’s Global Appeal
Union Minister Kiren Rijiju stated on X, “One mission, one message, one India. Seven all-party delegations will visit key nations to showcase India’s resolve against terrorism.” This initiative aims to unify global opinion against terrorism and strengthen India’s diplomatic stance.