Monalisa Tase and Monojit Das
In a rare display of political unity, India turned to diplomacy not just as a tool of engagement, but as a resolute act of deterrence. Following the tragic terror attack in Pahalgam and amid escalating tensions with Pakistan, the Indian government mounted one of its most wide-reaching and bipartisan diplomatic initiatives in recent memory. Between April and May 2025, seven all-party delegations fanned out across more than 30 countries—from the Gulf and Europe to Southeast Asia, Africa, Russia, and the Americas. This unprecedented effort was not merely about gaining international sympathy alone, it was a calculated and coordinated move to globalize India’s counterterrorism narrative, highlight its development-focused governance model, and draw a sharp contrast with Pakistan’s long-standing complicity in sheltering extremist networks. Through unified political will and strategic messaging, India sought to build a broader global consensus against terrorism—one grounded in shared security, mutual trust, and moral clarity.
The architecture of this diplomatic outreach was notable for its diversity and strategic targeting. The seven delegations, comprising 59 members (31 from the NDA and 20 from other parties), were each helmed by prominent Members of Parliament and supported by seasoned diplomats and security experts. The diversity and bipartisan composition of these delegations served not only to demonstrate India's domestic unity on national security matters but also to lend greater credibility abroad.From Baijayant Jay Panda’s group engaging Gulf and North African nations to Shashi Tharoor’s delegation covering the Americas, the outreach was both geographically extensive and thematically consistent. Leaders like Supriya Sule and Kanimozhi Karunanidhi further ensured that India’s message reached critical partners in Africa and Europe, respectively.
India’s diplomatic outreach found strong resonance across capitals, but the turning point came with undeniable proof of Pakistan’s duplicity. Viral footage showing top Pakistani generals and law enforcement officers attending the funeral of a U.S.-designated terrorist sent shockwaves through international diplomatic circles. This brazen display of state complicity reignited calls in Brussels, Washington, and London for Pakistan’s re-listing on the FATF grey list.
New Delhi’s message was unambiguous; Pakistan is not merely a troubled state - it is an enabler of global terror. Indian delegations spotlighted a damning lineup of globally wanted terrorists—Hafiz Saeed, Masood Azhar, Dawood Ibrahim, Sajid Mir, and Syed Salahuddin—all of whom highlight the support within Pakistani territory. The term “T20” was coined for Pakistan’s top 20 terrorists—offering the world a chilling insight into the scale of impunity.
India’s narrative didn’t just travel—it resonated across continents. In Brazil, Shashi Tharoor confirmed strong endorsement of India’s counter-terrorism stance, while in Qatar, MP Rajiv Pratap Rudy highlighted India’s unwavering policy in the face of extremist provocations, a position acknowledged by Qatari counterparts. In Malaysia, the foreign ministry expressed alignment with India’s call for a “rules-based regional security” framework, and in South Africa, a delegation led by Supriya Sule received bipartisan assurances of cooperation at the United Nations on counterterrorism measures. The message was consistent and sharp: India builds bridges; Pakistan builds bunkers for terrorists.
Yet India’s diplomatic engagement was not solely focused on exposing Pakistan’s terror nexus. The delegations simultaneously projected India’s broader peace and development model. Drawing on its G20 Presidency, India showcased achievements in digital public infrastructure, health diplomacy, and inclusive growth as a blueprint for the Global South. Strategic partnerships were advanced in clean energy, artificial intelligence, green fuels, and biotech innovation—areas where India is emerging as a global leader. The delegations also engaged extensively with Indian diaspora communities, reinforcing the image of the diaspora as a bridge for peace and development rather than a source of radicalism. This dual-track diplomacy—confronting security threats while offering a vision of global development—strengthened India’s position as a responsible power with both moral clarity and strategic foresight.
Pakistan now finds itself at a diplomatic dead end, with mounting evidence eroding whatever credibility it had left on the global stage. The attendance of senior Pakistani generals at the funeral of a U.S.-designated terrorist stands as a blatant violation of Islamabad’s commitments to the Financial Action Task Force (FATF). Further compounding its troubles, India has shared intelligence with multiple countries revealing the persistence of terror financing networks operating through front NGOs and shell companies. These revelations have not gone unnoticed; recent deliberations in Paris and Geneva indicate that preliminary steps are underway to reconvene the FATF review panel on Pakistan for non-compliance. For Pakistan, the implications are grave. With an economy already buckling under soaring inflation, unsustainable debt, and stringent IMF conditions, any further international censure—particularly from FATF—could tip the scales toward deeper financial isolation and economic instability.
Despite these gains, India’s diplomatic campaign faces ongoing challenges. Pakistan’s information warfare machinery continues to disseminate counter-narratives, often framed in terms of religious victimhood, complicating India’s efforts to shape global opinion. Moreover, China’s unwavering political and financial support to Pakistan remains a significant obstacle, particularly in forums like the United Nations Security Council. Many Western capitals also grapple with competing priorities, as crises in Ukraine and the Middle East sometimes overshadow South Asian security concerns. To address these, it is recommended that India institutionalize all-party foreign policy forums involving former diplomats and defense experts, establish an International Terror Financing Exposure Centre to consolidate intelligence, enhance diplomatic communication teams to combat disinformation, and deepen trilateral partnerships with African, ASEAN, and Gulf states to blend development with security cooperation.
Going forward, India should consider institutionalizing all-party foreign policy forums by involving former foreign ministers, seasoned diplomats, and retired defense leaders in structured quarterly briefings abroad. Here service think tanks and also private research institutions needs to be involved for the continuous follow up post such diplomatic visits. Such an initiative would ensure continuity, depth, and bipartisan credibility in international engagements. To strengthen its global counterterrorism posture, India could also establish an International Terror Financing Exposure Centre in New Delhi—tasked with consolidating open-source intelligence and regularly publishing data on Pakistan-based terror financing networks. In the digital realm, India's technological edge should be strategically harnessed by deploying diplomatic public communication teams dedicated to countering disinformation and projecting India’s narrative with clarity and consistency. Additionally, deeper coordination with African, ASEAN, and Gulf States must be reinforced, particularly through trilateral frameworks that link development goals with shared security priorities, thereby solidifying India's role as a partner in both peace and progress.
Diplomacy with bullets is going to make Pakistan feel for all. India’s all-party diplomatic offensive has done more than just defend its national interests—it has set a precedent for how unity at home can translate into credibility abroad. By mobilizing a cross-party consensus and engaging more than 30 nations, India reframed the global conversation on terrorism, shifting the spotlight squarely onto Pakistan’s continued duplicity. Where Pakistan finds itself increasingly isolated, India has positioned itself as a credible, responsible power—capable of building coalitions through reason, resolve, and restraint. The symbolism is powerful: while Pakistan’s leadership honors terrorists, India’s leadership builds global partnerships for peace.
As the FATF reassesses its stance and international voices grow sharper against Pakistan’s double game, India’s diplomacy has achieved what bullets alone cannot—winning the battle for global perception through facts, conviction, and moral clarity.
Monalisa Tase is Assistant Professor, Department of Political Science, Nagaland University.
Dr Monojit Das is an Independent Geopolitical Analyst and Honorary Advisor to the Editorial Board of IADN (Indian Aerospace and Defence News).
