All Party Delegation's Global Tour Draws Scrutiny In India

They say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. If so, India may take some pride in Pakistan’s recent decision to send political envoys abroad—clearly mirroring India’s initiative to dispatch seven delegations comprising 59 sitting and former MPs to 32 countries. The aim: to explain the rationale behind Operation Sindoor, launched in response to the April 22 terrorist attack at Pahalgam which claimed 26 lives, including a Nepali tourist, a local Muslim pony-man, and a Christian. The symbolic name, Operation Sindoor, underscores the cultural significance of the red vermilion worn by married Hindu women, which they forgo upon widowhood. The operation sought to uphold the sanctity of that symbol, which the terror attack had indirectly violated by creating new widows. Over four days, Indian forces reportedly struck several terrorist hubs, including in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, inflicting significant damage. However, it refrained from targeting civilian and military infrastructure, as it did not want to escalate the war.

While Indian embassies and missions have already briefed foreign governments on the incident, the political delegations are intended to add weight, project unity, and present a civilian-political narrative of national resolve. Notably, the inclusion of opposition leaders such as Congress MP Shashi Tharoor—who heads the delegation to the US—reflects an effort to transcend partisan divides in presenting a united front against terrorism. Yet, the initiative has not escaped criticism. Congress leaders in Kerala have publicly grumbled about Tharoor’s selection, rather than appreciating his global stature and diplomatic experience at the United Nations. Some observers also question the wisdom of sending politicians abroad when career diplomats might handle the messaging more effectively and with greater nuance. Moreover, the choice of countries has raised eyebrows. While 32 nations have been selected, India’s immediate neighbours—Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, China, and Myanmar—have been conspicuously left out. Instead, countries like Sierra Leone and Slovenia are on the list. The rationale behind this geographic and diplomatic calculus remains unclear.

India has a precedent for such outreach. Indira Gandhi toured global capitals ahead of the 1971 war to raise awareness about the refugee crisis in East Pakistan. Her son, Rajiv Gandhi, later entrusted opposition leader and future prime minister A.B. Vajpayee with representing India at the United Nations. Bipartisanship in foreign diplomacy is not new—but it is fragile. The Modi government missed an opportunity to reinforce this spirit by not convening an all-party meeting after the operation, despite calls for a special parliamentary session. Such a briefing would have ensured that all MPs, regardless of party, spoke in one voice and with a shared understanding of Operation Sindoor’s objectives. Needless to say, unity must be built, prepared, and nurtured.