NEW DELHI: A high-level, all-party Indian Parliamentary delegation led by Shiv Sena MP Dr. Shrikant Eknath Shinde arrived in Abu Dhabi today, marking the UAE as the first stop in a four-nation diplomatic outreach to mobilize international support against cross-border terrorism.
The visit comes in the wake of the Pahalgam terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir, and India’s subsequent Operation Sindoor, a precise and non-escalatory military response.
The UAE was one of the first countries to condemn the attack, with President Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed personally conveying condolences to Prime Minister Modi and External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar.
The delegation, comprising leaders such as Bansuri Swaraj, ET Mohmd Basheer, Atul Garg, Sasmit Patra, Manan Kumar Mishra, Surendrajeet Singh Ahluwalia, and former Ambassador Sujan Chinoy, met with UAE Minister of Tolerance and Co-existence Sheikh Nahyan Mabarak Al Nahyan, who expressed strong solidarity, stating, “India and UAE will tackle terrorism together.”
In discussions with Dr. Ali Rashid Al Nuaimi, Chairman of the Federal National Council’s Defence and Foreign Affairs Committee, the delegation reiterated India’s resolve to counter terrorism with accuracy and responsibility. Al Nuaimi affirmed the strategic depth of India-UAE ties, saying, “Terrorism is against the whole of humanity. The international community must act now.”
The team also held conversations with the National Media Office to counter misinformation campaigns from Pakistan, presenting factual evidence and rebutting propaganda. In a key media moment, Dr. Shinde gave a detailed interview to The National, laying out India’s consistent policy against cross-border terrorism.
The day ended with an interactive session with the Indian diaspora in the UAE, lauding their contributions to India’s global reputation and urging continued support for unity and pluralism. The delegation will next engage in strategic dialogues with leading think tanks in Abu Dhabi and Dubai.
