An all-party Indian parliamentary delegation, on a crucial diplomatic outreach, met with Bahrain’s Deputy Prime Minister Shaikh Khalid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa on Sunday to underscore India’s unwavering stance against terrorism. The delegation’s visit comes as India intensifies its global outreach to counter Pakistan’s alleged terror designs, particularly in the wake of the devastating April 22 Pahalgam attack that claimed 26 lives.
The delegation was led by BJP MP Baijayant Jay Panda, it is one of seven multi-party groups dispatched by India to engage with 33 world capitals.
MP’s post on X
“India & Bahrain share a deep, historic friendship built on trust, shared values & mutual respect. … Together in the fight against terrorism, we discussed matters of mutual interest & India’s firm commitment to combat terror in all its forms,” Panda posted on X following the meeting at Gudaibiya Palace.
The Indian MPs also held discussions with Ali bin Saleh Al Saleh, the chairman of Shura Bahrain, the upper house of Bahrain’s legislative body. The Indian Embassy in Bahrain stated on X that the delegation “underscored India’s resolve to fight against terrorism and strengthen bilateral ties” during this meeting.
During their two-day visit, which began on Saturday, the delegation also engaged with prominent members of the Indian diaspora and civil society. On Saturday, Panda highlighted the urgency of their mission: “We are here at a difficult time… The difficulty has to do with the latest terror attack in Pahalgam and the hostilities with Pakistan thereafter. We come here in friendship to seek support.” He further elaborated on the cross-border nature of the threat, stating, “Our problem is that our terror attacks are all coordinated by one of our neighbours.”
Panda expressed gratitude for Bahrain’s consistent support, noting, “I would like to thank the government of Bahrain for the consistent stand that it has taken. We truly appreciate Bahrain’s strong comments during recent developments.”
AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi, also a member of the delegation, emphasised the broad-based nature of India’s diplomatic push. “Our government has sent us here, and various other delegations comprising all party members across various parts of the world, so that the world knows of the threat that India has been facing,” he stated.
The delegation, which includes former Union Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad and Rajya Sabha MP Rekha Sharma, also visited Bab Al Bahrain, a historic landmark symbolising Bahrain’s cultural heritage and enduring ties with India.
Why an outreach program?
Tensions between India and Pakistan have been high since the Pahalgam attack. India responded with “precision strikes” as part of Operation Sindoor on terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir in the early hours of May 7. This was followed by attempts by Pakistan to attack Indian military bases between May 8 and 10, to which India “responded strongly.” On-ground hostilities ceased after talks between the directors general of military operations of both sides on May 10.
The Panda-led delegation is set to continue its diplomatic outreach in Kuwait on May 26, where they will further apprise prominent personalities and the Indian community about India’s resolute stance against terrorism.
(With PTI Inputs)