Jaishankar Engages with Returning Parliamentary Delegations, Stresses Strategic Outreach

 New Delhi, June 7 — External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar on Friday held separate interactions with two parliamentary delegations recently returned from extensive multi-country visits aimed at articulating India’s stance on terrorism and foreign policy challenges. The delegations were led by NCP (SP) MP Supriya Sule and Shiv Sena’s Parliamentary Party Leader Shrikant Shinde—the youngest of the seven mission heads.

According to sources, the delegations briefed Dr. Jaishankar on the diplomatic tenor of their visits, including insights from interactions with global counterparts. Several host nations reportedly encouraged India to engage in direct dialogue with Pakistan, and questioned New Delhi's perceived reticence in commenting on certain international conflicts. Delegation members responded by clarifying India’s consistent policy: meaningful dialogue is untenable with Pakistan so long as it continues to harbour and promote terrorism.

The MPs noted that while initial perceptions may have been coloured by religious or geopolitical alignments, many foreign interlocutors were receptive to India’s narrative once presented with facts. They underscored the need for a more robust and nuanced communication strategy—especially with nations often assumed to be pro-Pakistan purely on the basis of religious majority. Emphasis was placed on enhancing engagement not only through trade and diplomacy but also via cultural exchanges, tourism, and people-to-people contact.

The delegation led by Dr. Shrikant Shinde reported especially meaningful engagements in Africa. In Liberia and Sierra Leone, solemn tributes were paid to the victims of the recent Pahalgam terror attack. In a rare gesture, the Liberian Parliament observed a moment of silence, and Dr. Shinde was invited to speak from the podium—highlighting India’s strong moral leadership on global issues.

Minister Jaishankar expressed deep appreciation for the work of both delegations, noting that outreach to countries often seen as geopolitically peripheral is of growing strategic value.
"These nations may not feature prominently on the global radar, but the perspectives you have brought back are invaluable. Your efforts represent a significant service to the country," he told the teams.

Feedback from the delegations also included specific economic opportunities. In Liberia, for instance, local officials expressed interest in establishing a consular presence in India. Delegates identified significant untapped potential in areas such as rubber trade and mining partnerships with African nations. India’s past support through COVID-19 vaccine diplomacy and peacekeeping efforts was widely acknowledged and appreciated by host countries.

So far, five of the seven delegations have debriefed the External Affairs Minister. The remaining two—led by BJP’s Ravi Shankar Prasad and Congress MP Shashi Tharoor—are scheduled to meet Dr. Jaishankar next week. Some delegations have also submitted detailed written reports to the Ministry of External Affairs, outlining recommendations and strategic feedback.

The global outreach initiative, launched to counter misinformation and assert India’s principled stand on terrorism, saw the participation of 55 individuals, including sitting MPs, former ministers, and seasoned diplomats. The delegations visited 38 countries across continents, with leadership drawn from across the political spectrum—Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, NCP(SP)’s Supriya Sule, BJP’s Ravi Shankar Prasad and Baijayant Panda, Shiv Sena’s Shrikant Shinde, DMK’s Kanimozhi, and JD(U)’s Sanjay Jha.

This bipartisan effort reflects a maturing strategic approach by India to shape international opinion and safeguard national interests through collaborative diplomacy.