In a concerted diplomatic effort to rally global support against cross-border terrorism, two Indian all-party parliamentary delegations visited Bahrain and South Korea this week. The outreach is part of a broader initiative by New Delhi to raise awareness about Pakistan’s alleged role in sponsoring terror and to reinforce India’s commitment to combatting terrorism on the international stage.
Bahrain Visit Highlights India’s Firm Stance
Led by BJP MP Baijayant Jay Panda, one delegation arrived in Manama on Saturday for a two-day diplomatic mission. The team met Bahrain’s Deputy Prime Minister, Shaikh Khalid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa, at the Gudaibiya Palace, where they briefed him on the persistent threat of terrorism faced by India, particularly in the aftermath of the recent Pahalgam terror attack.
“India and Bahrain share a historic friendship built on trust, shared values, and mutual respect,” Panda said in a post on X, formerly Twitter. “Together in the fight against terrorism, we discussed matters of mutual interest and India’s firm commitment to combat terror in all its forms.”
The delegation also held discussions with Ali bin Saleh Al Saleh, chairman of Bahrain’s Shura Council—the upper house of the legislature—reaffirming India’s resolve to fight terrorism and deepen bilateral ties. They visited Bab Al Bahrain, a cultural landmark, and paid floral tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at India House in a symbolic gesture of peace and unity.
Panda emphasized the gravity of the situation India is facing. “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. Our terror threats are all coordinated by one of our neighbors,” he said.
AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi, also part of the delegation, drew a sharp parallel between Pakistani terror networks and ISIS. “There is no difference between the terrorists operating in Pakistan and the ISIS takfiri ideology,” he said, underlining the global implications of terrorism and the necessity for international solidarity.
Other members of the delegation included Ghulam Nabi Azad, Rekha Sharma, and several cross-party leaders. The team will proceed to Kuwait on May 26 as part of their multi-nation tour to 33 global capitals.
Seoul Mission Details Operation Sindoor
Simultaneously, another Indian delegation, led by JD(U) Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Kumar Jha, visited South Korea. In a meeting with the Indian diaspora in Seoul, the delegation provided an in-depth briefing on India’s recent military response—Operation Sindoor—launched after the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam.
“Representing a unified front, the delegates clearly explained Pakistan’s involvement in orchestrating the brutal terror attack and how India responded by targeting terror infrastructures in both Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir,” stated the Indian Embassy in Seoul.
The Embassy emphasized that India’s actions were “measured, targeted, non-escalatory, and responsible.” The delegation reiterated the government’s stance that “dialogue cannot co-exist with terror,” reinforcing India’s zero-tolerance approach.
Ambassador Amit Kumar, India’s envoy to South Korea, briefed the delegation on Korea-specific aspects of the bilateral relationship and expressed optimism about future cooperation in combating terrorism.
Commending the Indian community in Korea, the Embassy praised their resilience and role in upholding the nation’s values. “You stand as torchbearers of tolerance, pluralism, and unity, echoing India’s unwavering commitment to peace,” the Embassy said.
The South Korea delegation also included MPs Aparajita Sarangi, Abhishek Banerjee, Brij Lal, John Brittas, Pradan Baruah, Hemang Joshi, former External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid, and former ambassador Mohan Kumar.
