Show of cards: on Operation Sindoor and government’s delegations 

The Narendra Modi government has announced seven delegations to canvas support for India in global capitals, in the aftermath of its recent conflict with Pakistan. The declared intent of these delegations — with representatives from political parties, diplomats and strategic experts — is to demonstrate before the world, the unity and the character of India in the face of sectarian terrorism sponsored by Pakistan. That the members are from several political, religious, caste and regional backgrounds, is in itself a panoramic show of the founding vision of India. The modern Republic of India adopted for itself the principle that all diversities can coexist and flourish together. This is in stark contrast with the idea of Pakistan, which was reiterated with chilling clarity by its Army chief Asim Munir weeks before the Pahalgam terrorist attack on April 22, 2025. The two-nation theory that led to the bloody division of the subcontinent and the creation of Pakistan holds that Hindus and Muslims cannot be a part of the same national community. The decline of Pakistan and the rise of India in all fields of human progress prove beyond any doubt the fallacy and the dangers of Pakistan’s vision and the promise of India. In a time of national challenge, a reiteration of that founding vision can be rejuvenating.

But there was inadequate appreciation of this fundamental distinction between India and Pakistan in many capitals in the aftermath of Pahalgam. There are many reasons and India has to win back world opinion in its favour through its actions and words, at home and abroad. Statements by several world leaders appeared to place India and Pakistan on the same footing. With decades of diplomatic efforts and its own performance as a pluralistic, secular democracy and a dynamic economy, India has built a healthy perception about itself in the eyes of the world. The capable and articulate delegates can be expected to restate that message of India effectively in world capitals. The Narendra Modi government showed statesmanship and wisdom in deciding to reiterate India’s unity and pluralism through these delegations. But the controversy around the selection of Congress representatives and continuing statements by BJP leaders that label political opponents as anti-nationals undermine the very attempt of unity. The government and the Congress, the principal Opposition party, should have communicated better with regard to the composition of these delegations. But now that the names have been decided, the Congress should not object to the nomination of its Lok Sabha MP, Shashi Tharoor, an international diplomat who has served as a Minister of State for External Affairs when it was in government. To politicise the nominations will serve no purpose and the Congress would only be seen doing what it accuses the BJP of: political mischief.