Singapore City [Singapore], May 27: In a significant diplomatic outreach effort following Operation Sindoor, Janata Dal (United) MP Sanjay Kumar Jha called on Singapore to support Pakistan’s inclusion on the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) blacklist, citing the country’s continued misuse of international financial aid to fund terrorism and defence spending rather than development.
Jha made the remarks following a high-level meeting with Singapore’s Senior Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Home Affairs, Sim Ann, as part of an all-party Indian parliamentary delegation tour aimed at garnering global support for India’s stance on terrorism.
Key Statement on FATF Blacklisting:
“We requested that Pakistan be brought on the FATF blacklist because whatever financial support it gets, its expenditure is on its defence or terrorism. There is no expense in development work,” Jha told ANI.
Singapore, a member of the FATF since 1992, plays a key role in global anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing measures. The FATF currently places countries under “grey” or “black” lists based on compliance with global anti-terror financing norms. While Pakistan was earlier placed on the grey list, India has consistently advocated for tougher scrutiny.
India’s Diplomatic Push After Operation Sindoor:
Jha highlighted India’s firm and precise military response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, stating that:
“The Indian Air Force attacked nine terrorist infrastructure sites in Pakistan with precision. No civilian or military bases were targeted. After our response, Pakistan’s DGMO reached out for a ceasefire.”
Operation Sindoor, launched on May 7, was a direct retaliation to the Pahalgam attack, where 26 people were killed by Pakistan-sponsored terrorists. The operation led to the elimination of over 100 terrorists associated with Jaish-e-Mohammed, Lashkar-e-Taiba, and Hizbul Mujahideen, with Indian forces targeting terrorist hubs across the Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK) region.
Broader Delegation Efforts:
The delegation — part of the Modi government’s seven multi-party missions — also met with:
- Current and former Singaporean MPs
- Academia, business leaders, and cultural organisations
- Indian High Commissioner to Singapore, Ambassador Shilpak Ambule
The delegation includes representatives from across party lines, such as Aparajita Sarangi (BJP), Abhishek Banerjee (TMC), Salman Khurshid (Congress), John Brittas (CPI-M), and Pradan Baruah (BJP), among others.
India’s Message: United Front Against Terrorism
Jha emphasized that despite political differences, the delegation reflects India’s unified stance against terrorism:
“The entire country is one when it comes to India’s safety and security. We have to fight against terrorism together.”
As the delegation continues its diplomatic tour across five countries, it aims to rally international support for India’s zero-tolerance policy against terrorism and expose Pakistan’s double standards on peace and extremism.