Key Points

Baijayant Panda led an all-party delegation to discuss India's anti-terrorism policies with Gulf and North African leaders. The team briefed External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on the positive outcomes of their missions, receiving strong international support against cross-border terrorism. Harsh Vardhan Shringla, a member of the delegation, emphasized the successful engagement in Algeria, which condemned terrorism and backed India’s stance. The discussions also stressed the role of the FATF in holding countries like Pakistan accountable for terror financing.

Key Points: Baijayant Panda's Delegation Briefs Jaishankar on Anti-Terror Visits

  • Baijayant Panda leads delegation to Gulf and North Africa
  • Delegation highlights India's zero-tolerance terrorism policy
  • EAM Jaishankar congratulates team for effective diplomacy
3 min read

Baijayant Panda-led all-party delegation briefs EAM Jaishankar on anti-terror outreach in Gulf, North Africa

Panda-led team updates Jaishankar on anti-terrorism efforts in the Gulf and Algeria.

"The meeting was really good; feedback was given to the External Affairs Minister. - Harsh Vardhan Shringla"

New Delhi, June 3

An all-party delegation led by BJP MP Baijayant Panda on Tuesday briefed External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar on their recent international visits aimed at promoting India's zero-tolerance policy towards terrorism.

The MPs shared feedback from their engagements abroad, highlighting support received from India's international partners.

Former Foreign Secretary and delegation member Harsh Vardhan Shringla said the meeting with the EAM at South Block was "quite fruitful."

"The meeting was really good; feedback was given to the External Affairs Minister. All delegation members shared their views, and I think the minister got the feedback from the mission as well. But this time, the delegates have shared it first-hand," Shringla told reporters after the meeting.

"He (EAM Jaishankar) said that the journey was quite successful, our objectives were completed, and he congratulated the delegation members and leaders," he added.

Apart from Panda and Shringla, the delegation included BJP MPs Nishikant Dubey, Phangnon Konyak, and Rekha Sharma; AIMIM MP Asaduddin Owaisi; and Satnam Singh Sandhu and Ghulam Nabi Azad.

The delegation, during their visit, engaged with leaders in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Algeria, and briefed India's international partners on India's response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor, as well as its broader fight against cross-border terrorism.

The delegation returned from Algeria on Tuesday. Indian Ambassador to Algeria, Swati Vijay Kulkarni, praised the strong support extended by the North African country in combating terrorism.

"During their visit to Algeria, they had very successful and productive engagements. They had two important meetings... During all these engagements, Algeria strongly condemned terrorism. They said that Algeria stands with India on the issue of terrorism. They also said that Algeria will take only the side of justice. So, we are very happy that they have given a very clear and strong message for India to remain united on terrorism," Ambassador Kulkarni said.

Before departing Algeria, Shringla also emphasized the importance of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) in curbing terror financing, particularly in Pakistan.

"The issue of terrorist financing was very much a part of all of our conversations. The leader of our delegation and individual members also explained that as long as Pakistan was on the grey list of the FATF, they were responsive; they were forced to be responsive and to the extent that Sajid Mir, a very wanted person under the UN Security Council's list, had been declared dead by Pakistan but when the FATF took up the issue and there was some serious financial pressure brought to bear on Pakistan, then they declared that he was alive," he said.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

Here are 6 diverse Indian perspective comments for the article:
R
Rajesh K.
Good to see bipartisan efforts in foreign policy. Terrorism affects all Indians regardless of political affiliation. Hope these engagements translate into concrete action against terror financing from across our borders. 🙏
P
Priya M.
While I appreciate the delegation's work, I wish they had included more women MPs. Terrorism impacts women disproportionately - our voices need equal representation in such important discussions.
A
Arjun S.
Algeria's support is significant! North Africa has experience fighting extremism. We should explore joint counter-terror training programs. More such collaborations can isolate terror sponsors like Pakistan internationally.
S
Sunita R.
The FATF angle is crucial. Money is the oxygen for terrorism. We must keep global pressure on Pakistan through financial channels. Kudos to the team for highlighting how Pakistan plays games with terrorists like Sajid Mir!
V
Vikram J.
Positive development but we need consistency. Such delegations should become regular features, not one-offs. Terrorism won't disappear after one round of talks. Also, why no focus on China's indirect support to anti-India groups?
N
Neha T.
Seeing Owaisi and Azad in the delegation gives me hope that we can present a united front internationally. Terrorism is our common enemy. More such inclusive efforts please! 🇮🇳

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