Washington DC: In a high-stakes diplomatic engagement, India’s All-Party Delegation is in Washington DC to push New Delhi’s message on terrorism and regional stability following Operation Sindoor.

Led by senior Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, the team’s visit overlaps with a Pakistani delegation led by Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, setting the stage for a diplomatic face-off in the US capital.

Speaking to ANI, Tharoor acknowledged the challenges of engaging with the American media, which he called a "very crowded space". However, he expressed optimism that the Indian side would reach influential audiences—especially those invested in South Asia and global counterterrorism.

Tharoor’s team has planned a wide range of engagements, including meetings with US government officials, Senators, Congress members, foreign policy think tanks, and media houses. Notable appearances include an address at the National Press Club and interviews with American television networks and podcasters.

Underlining the breadth of India-US ties, Tharoor emphasised cooperation in defence, trade, intelligence, and international groupings like QUAD and the G20. He also dismissed media narratives claiming that the US mediated to stop conflict post-Operation Sindoor, stating that India had never sought prolonged hostilities and had always maintained its goal was retaliation against terror actors, not war.

He remarked that while Pakistan’s outreach is focused on select Western capitals—Washington, London, and Brussels—India’s efforts are more expansive and inclusive.

The Indian delegation comprises MPs from across political parties, including Sarfaraz Ahmad, Ganti Harish Madhur, Shashank Mani Tripathi, Bhubaneswar Kalita, Tejasvi Surya, and former ambassador Taranjit Singh Sandhu. This diverse group aims to demonstrate India's internal political consensus on national security and foreign policy matters.

Pakistan’s parallel diplomatic campaign, led by Bhutto, seeks to counter India’s position on the recent escalations. The Pakistani delegation was dispatched by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to present Islamabad’s stance to the international community.

Both delegations are expected to compete for mindshare in Washington over the coming days, amid a complex geopolitical environment shaped by terrorism concerns, regional rivalry, and great power interests.