Shashi Tharoor, Shrikant Shinde, Supriya Sule Among 7 Team Leads In India’s Global Anti-Terror Outreach

SOURCE ; NEW18

Last Updated:May 17, 2025, 10:47 IST

The government has chosen seven lawmakers to lead delegations abroad as part of its effort to reshape the global narrative by presenting India’s evidence on the Pahalgam attack

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, facing criticism from his party for his remarks on the India-Pakistan conflict, is set to lead one of the seven delegations that will visit key countries to carry forth to the world India’s message of “zero-tolerance” against terrorism.

The central government has chosen seven lawmakers to lead delegations abroad as part of its effort to reshape the global narrative by presenting India’s evidence and stance on the Pahalgam attack directly to foreign governments and international bodies.

“In moments that matter most, Bharat stands united. Seven All-Party Delegations will soon visit key partner nations, carrying our shared message of zero-tolerance to terrorism. A powerful reflection of national unity above politics, beyond differences,” Kiren Rijiju, Union minister for parliamentary affairs, posted on X on Saturday morning.

Each delegation will comprise Members of Parliament from various political parties, prominent political figures, and seasoned diplomats, with the following MPs appointed to lead the seven delegations:

• Shashi Tharoor (INC)
• Ravi Shankar Prasad (BJP)
• Sanjay Kumar Jha (JDU)
• Baijayant Panda (BJP)
• Kanimozhi Karunanidhi (DMK)
• Supriya Sule (NCP)
• Shrikant Eknath Shinde (Shiv Sena)

Who’s Going Where?

Sources told CNN-News18 that as part of the outreach effort, Supriya Sule will lead the delegation to South Africa and Egypt and Baijayant ‘Jay’ Panda will head the team to Western Europe.

Shrikant Shinde will represent India in the UAE and Africa, while a delegation to the United States will be led by Shashi Tharoor.

Meanwhile, JDU’s Sanjay Jha will be leading the delegation of multi-party MPs to Japan, South Korea, Indonesia and Malaysia, and Ravi Shankar Prasad to the Middle East.

DMK MP Kanimozhi Karunanidhi will visit India’s key partner countries Russia and Spain.

A high-profile delegation to the US, led by Shashi Tharoor, includes Members of Parliament from across the political parties— both ruling and opposition. It also consists of a diplomat.

The delegation includes Shambhavi Chaudhary (LJP-Ram Vilas), Dr. Sarfaraz Ahmad (JMM), Ganti Harish Madhur Balayogi (TDP), Shashank Mani Tripathi (BJP), Bhubaneswar Kalita (BJP), and Milind Deora (Shiv Sena), along with former Indian Ambassador to the US, Taranjit Singh Sandhu.

Notably, it’s the first time the Modi government has sent elected representatives from all parties as diplomatic envoys to challenge Pakistan’s narrative on the international stage.

First Published:

May 17, 2025, 09:52 IST