The Indian parliamentary delegation, spearheaded by DMK Member of Parliament Kanimozhi, touched down at Domodedovo International Airport today. The flight carrying Members of Parliament and other passengers was delayed by around 40 minutes on Thursday. The reason for the delay was the brief shutdown of airports in Russia’s capital after a drone strike between Russia and Ukraine.
The visit comes as part of New Delhi’s proactive global diplomatic outreach, aimed at emphasising its unwavering zero-tolerance policy towards terrorism and shedding light on Pakistan’s alleged connections to cross-border terror activities.
The delegation’s presence in the Russian capital underscores India’s commitment to garnering international support for its counter-terrorism agenda. Sources familiar with the visit indicated that discussions during their stay are expected to focus on collaborative efforts to combat global terrorism and share intelligence on regional security threats.
There was no specific reason given by the Russian authorities on the flight being delayed.
Meanwhile, the backdrop to the delegation’s arrival includes reports of escalating tensions within Russia. The RTVi news portal reported that the town of Elets, located roughly 400 kilometres south of Moscow, was subjected to an attack by multiple Ukrainian drones. Details regarding the extent of the damage or casualties in Elets were not immediately available.
The dual narratives of diplomatic engagement and regional conflict highlight the complex geopolitical landscape in which India is navigating its foreign policy objectives.
(With PTI Inputs)