India-Pakistan conflict: In the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor, the Indian government has announced that it will send seven member all-party delegations to key partner countries later this month. The objective: to convey a unified national message of zero tolerance against terrorism and to project India’s firm stance on cross-border threats.
The Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs released a statement on Saturday, May 17, 2025, declaring that the delegations would underscore India’s resolute approach to combating terrorism in all its forms. “The all-party delegations will project India’s national consensus and resolute approach to combating terrorism,” the statement read.
Prominent leaders from across the political spectrum have been selected, reflecting a bipartisan approach. The delegation includes: Shashi Tharoor (Congress), Ravi Shankar Prasad (BJP), Sanjay Kumar Jha (JD-U), Baijayant Panda (BJP), Kanimozhi Karunanidhi (DMK), Supriya Sule (NCP), Shrikant Eknath Shinde (Shiv Sena) and Asaduddin Owaisi (AIMIM).
‘Representing the Government of India and country’
Owaisi, has affirmed his commitment to the mission, emphasising the importance of setting aside party affiliations. “This is not about any party affiliation… We are representing the Government of India and our country,” he said.
Owaisi revealed that his group would be headed by BJP’s Baijayant Panda and would include leaders like Nishikant Dubey, Phangnon Konyak, Rekha Sharma, Satnam Singh Sandhu, and Ghulam Nabi Azad. Their scheduled destinations include the UK, France, Belgium, Germany, Italy, and Denmark.
Owaisi did not hold back in his remarks about Pakistan, criticising its long-standing involvement in sponsoring terrorism. “Owaisi says, “… Pakistanis have not seen anyone else so outspoken or handsome. They only see me in India… They should keep listening to me; their knowledge will increase, and their ignorance will disappear.”
US must designate TRF terrorist group: Owaisi
“Pakistan’s trade with the US is worth only 10 billion, whereas for India it is over 150 billion. Is it a joke?… Can America guarantee that Pakistan will not carry out terror attacks on us anymore?… Pakistan’s military will always mess with India. How long will we tolerate this?… How can you trade with Pakistan? They are beggars… We are only expecting this much from the US, that they should designate the TRF (The Resistance Front) as a terrorist organisation…TRF is nothing but a Pakistan-sponsored group of LeT (Lashkar-e-Taiba)…”,” he said, adding that Pakistan’s actions destabilise not only India but the broader region.
‘PM Modi should have announced ceasefire, not Trump’
He also expressed dissatisfaction with the US President announcing the ceasefire instead of the Indian Prime Minister, stressing the imbalance in global narratives. “I have said it before, I will say it again, our Prime Minister should have announced the ceasefire, not the US President,” he adds.
Owaisi also underscored the devastating human impact of terrorism. “We are representing the government of India and our country… We are going to those countries to tell how our daughters are getting widowed, our children are being orphaned, and how Pakistan wants to destabilise our country. We are the fifth-largest economy. If there is destabilisation in India, it will affect the whole world… Never forget that 21 civilians have also been killed (in cross-border shelling). Four children were killed in Pooch. Five of our jawans were killed. We will present all this to the countries… We will present the Indian government’s vision to the best of our capability,” the AIMIM chief said.
Owaisi’s message to Turkey
In a direct message to Ankara, Owaisi urged Turkey to reconsider its stance on Pakistan. “Turkey must be reminded of its historical ties with India, including İşbank, whose early depositors were Indians… There are over 200 million honourable Muslims in India — more than in Pakistan. The way Pakistan behaves has nothing to do with Islam,” he concluded.