Riyadh [Saudi Arabia], May 28: In a significant show of political unity, an all-party Indian parliamentary delegation led by BJP MP Baijayant Panda arrived in Riyadh to bolster diplomatic relations with Saudi Arabia and reinforce India’s firm stance against terrorism.
The delegation was warmly received by Maj. Gen. Abdulrahman Alharbi, Chair of the India-Saudi Arabia Council Friendship Committee of the Shura Council. “India’s stand on terrorism is resolute and uncompromising — a message we bring to Saudi Arabia with our all-party delegation,” Panda shared on X. He expressed gratitude for the warm welcome and highlighted the importance of building stronger bilateral partnerships.
The delegation includes BJP MPs Nishikant Dubey, Phangnon Konyak, Rekha Sharma, Satnam Singh Sandhu, AIMIM MP Asaduddin Owaisi, former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad, and former diplomat Harsh Shringla. This multi-party initiative features seven groups, each led by an MP, tasked with diplomatic outreach to counter global misinformation and showcase India’s zero-tolerance approach to terrorism.
While in the region, the delegation also visited Kuwait, engaging with the Indian diaspora and influential local figures, including former ministers, members of the royal family, journalists, industrialists, scholars, and civil society leaders. These interactions focused on promoting India’s united stance against terrorism and received strong support from the community.
This diplomatic mission is part of a broader international campaign by India to highlight Pakistan’s alleged involvement in terror funding. As part of this, India plans to submit a detailed dossier to the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), aiming to provide concrete evidence linking Pakistan-based entities to money laundering and terror financing. Pakistan has recently been placed back on the FATF Grey List, increasing international scrutiny of its financial systems.
The outreach follows Operation Sindoor, launched on May 7 in response to the deadly terror attack in Pahalgam on April 22, which claimed 26 civilian lives. In its retaliatory strikes, Indian security forces reportedly neutralized over 100 terrorists in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, targeting networks affiliated with Jaish-e-Mohammed, Lashkar-e-Taiba, and Hizbul Mujahideen.
The Modi government’s strategic campaign, through these seven multi-party delegations, aims to build global consensus against terrorism and reaffirm India’s commitment to international peace and security.