Moving forward with a diplomatic outreach, the Indian government continues to voice its stance against terrorism after launching Operation Sindoor on May 7. Seven all-party delegations of Members of Parliament undertook journeys to key global destinations starting last week. A total of 51 political leaders, with delegations led by BJP’s Baijayant Panda and Ravi Shankar Prasad, Shashi Tharoor of Congress, JDU’s Sanjay Kumar Jha, Shiv Sena’s Shrikant Eknath Shinde, DMK’s Kanimozhi Karunaidhi, and NCP-SP’s Supriya Sule.

Amid the 10-day Operation Sindoor outreach expressing the all-party delegations’ representing a united front against terrorism, political leaders have already sounded off their firm declarations on the matter.

Operation Sindoor outreach: Indian leaders react

Asaduddin Owaisi: All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen President Asaduddin Owaisi doubled down on his take against the Pakistan-sponsored April 22 Pahalgam terror attack. The member of the all-party delegation, said during his visit to Bahrain that regardless of religious differences in the country, we must stand united with the ruling government in the fight against terror.

“Defending the country is always a priority, irrespective of whether one is Hindu, Muslim, or Christian. We have our own problems in India – that’s a separate issue we continue to fight for,” he told PTI. “But when representing the country at a crucial time, especially after the attack in Pahalgam and subsequent developments, we must support the government. We oppose their ideology and do not support them politically, but here, we are representing the nation.”

He then resorted to comparing Pakistan to UN-designated terrorist organisation ISIS. Noting uncanny similarities in the group’s attack on innocent lives and the Pahalgam tragedy, he said, “The world has seen how ISIS had killed people by asking them their names, by recording their brutal killings. They did the same thing in Pahalgam.”

Owaisi also condemned ISIS for smearing the holy name of Islam, arguing that the ISIS not only target non-Muslims, but also fellow Muslims. “These terrorists are cowards, who are using holy name of Islam to justify their killings. The whole world knows… Islam came to destroy terrorism forever… The Holy Prophet said there is no difference between Arab and non-Arab… between Black and White. He said treat your women well… These people have gone outside of Islam, but unfortunately they’re using religion.”

He went on to say that Muslims have rejected these people for the same reason. “They are terrorist organisation sponsored by Pakistan, trained by Pakistan, aided and abetted by Pakistan.

Shashi Tharoor: Leading another delegation in the United States, the Congress leader applauded the ruling Indian government’s “hit hard and smart” strategic decision of launching Operation Sindoor against Pakistan after the April 22 terror attack. Praising the precision strikes on Pakistan-based terror infrastructures, he said, “I don’t work for the government, as you know. I work for an opposition party. I myself authored an op-ed saying the time has come to hit hard but hit smart. I’m pleased to say that’s exactly what India did.”

Asserting that it was time to set a “new bottom line” while dealing with Pakistan, he added, “We have tried everything – international dossiers, complaints, everything has been tried.” Tharoor noted that meanwhile Pakistan had delivered “no convictions, no serious criminal prosecutions, and no genuine attempt to dismantle” its terror camps. “The persistence of safe havens… you (Pakistan) do this, you are going to get this back.”

In the same breath, the Congress-affiliated politician maintained that India had no war-seeking plans against the neighbouring nation. “We are not interested in warfare. We would much rather be left alone to grown our economy and pull our people into the world they are getting ready for in the 21st century.”

Prior to hailing Op Sindoor, he took aim at Kerala’s Rs 10 crore earthquake aid to Turkey in light of the nation’s pro-Pakistan stand. “I hope the Govt of Kerala reflects on its misplaced generosity, after seeing Turkey’s behaviour two years later! Not to mention that the people of Wayanad (just to take one Kerala example) could have used those ten crores far better,” he wrote on X.

Consequently, CPM’s John Brittas defended the Indian state, saying, “Hve great regards for Shashi Tharoor. But these comments are symptoms of selective amnesia.” He further argued that ‘Operation Dost’ was launched by the Modi government to help Turkey amid the 2023 earthquake, calling Tharoor’s take on the issue “unwarranted.”