India's Operation Sindoor global outreach begins today, first delegation to leave for UAE

The delegation for the UAE will be led by Shiv Sena MP Shrikant Eknath Shinde, who will also visit Congo, Sierra Leone and Liberia.

The other members in the delegation are Bansuri Swaraj, Manan Kumar Mishra and SS Ahluwalia from the country's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP); IUML MP ET Mohammed Basheer and Ambassador Sujan Chinoy.

The government has formed seven all-delegations which will visit key partner countries including members of the UN Security Council later this month to carry the message in the context of Operation Sindoor.

The delegations will showcase India's national consensus and resolute approach to combating terrorism globally.

Each delegation comprises Members of Parliament from different parties, political personalities, and diplomats.

Operation Sindoor was a fierce military operation launched by the Indian Air Force (IAF) on May 7, in response to the Pahalgam attack that killed 26 tourists who were enjoying their vacation at Baisaran Valley, which is referred to as India's Switzerland.

The operation aimed to dismantle terrorist bases in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).

After the Pakistan Army again targeted Indian civilians and resorted to cross-border firing, the Indian Armed Forces retaliated, destroying defence systems of the hostile neighbour.

On Pakistan's appeal, India responded with a ceasefire on May 10 but Prime Minister Narendra Modi warned of fresh retaliation if Islamabad goes astray.

Modi govt picks Congress MP Shashi Tharoor to lead delegation to the US

The central government had snubbed the Congress' choices and instead picked its MP Shashi Tharoor, who has praised Modi's several foreign policies of late, to lead a delegation in the United States.

After the government announced Tharoor will lead one of seven delegations, Congress media-in-charge Jairam Ramesh revealed the parliamentarian, who has of late praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi's foreign policies, was not the primary opposition party's one of four recommendations.

In response to the new role, Tharoor, who will lead the delegation to the US, said in an X post, "I am honoured by the invitation of the government of India to lead an all-party delegation to five key capitals, to present our nation’s point of view on recent events. When national interest is involved, and my services are required, I will not be found wanting. Jai Hind!"

TMC joins delegation after Kiren Rijiju calls Mamata Banerjee 

The Trinamool Congress has nominated its national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee to represent the party inthe delegation formed for Operation Sindoor's global outreach after Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju called up miffed West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee over the previous "unilateral" nomination.

Mamata Banerjee, who heads the TMC, on Monday said her party backs the Centre's policy on Foreign Affairs but the union government is not entitled to decide on which MP from her party will join the global outreach delegation to brief the world on India's stand against terrorism.

Mamata made the clarification after reportedly her MP from Baharampur, former cricketer Yusuf Pathan, snubbed the Centre's offer to join the delegation which will be touring different parts of the world in the backdrop of Operation Sindoor.