Abu Dhabi: A high-level all-party parliamentary delegation from India, led by Shiv Sena MP Dr. Shrikant Eknath Shinde, arrived in Abu Dhabi today as the first leg of a four-nation diplomatic mission aimed at countering terrorism and reinforcing strategic partnerships. The visit comes in the wake of the April 22 Pahalgam terrorist attack, which claimed the lives of several tourists in Jammu & Kashmir.

The United Arab Emirates was among the first nations to strongly condemn the attack. In a show of solidarity, UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister His Highness Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan personally conveyed condolences to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar in the immediate aftermath.

The Indian delegation includes prominent political and diplomatic figures such as Ms. Bansuri Swaraj, Shri ET Mohd Basheer, Shri Atul Garg, Shri Sasmit Patra, Shri Manan Kumar Mishra, Shri Surendrajeet Singh Ahluwalia, and former Ambassador Shri Sujan Chinoy.

During a key meeting with His Highness Sheikh Nahyan Mabarak Al Nahyan, UAE’s Minister of Tolerance and Co-Existence, condolences were reiterated. The Indian delegation emphasized the orchestrated nature of cross-border terrorism emanating from Pakistan and its attempts to destabilize India’s internal harmony. Sheikh Nahyan reaffirmed the UAE’s unwavering support, stating, “India and UAE will tackle terrorism together. The UAE will always stand by India.”

In separate discussions with H.E. Dr. Ali Rashid Al Nuaimi, Chairman of the Defence, Interior & Foreign Affairs Committee of the Federal National Council, and senior Emirati lawmakers, the Indian side detailed the scope and precision of Operation Sindoor — a calibrated military response to the Pahalgam attack. Dr. Al Nuaimi commented, “India-UAE relationship is beyond trade and culture. It encompasses security and strategic cooperation. Terrorism is a threat to all of humanity, and the global community must act collectively and decisively.”

Addressing the role of misinformation, the delegation met with Dr. Jamal Al Kaabi, Director General of the National Media Office. They shared documented evidence countering disinformation narratives spread by Pakistan, highlighting the sophistication of India’s media and intelligence response mechanisms.

Dr. Shrikant Shinde, in an exclusive interview with The National, laid out a detailed chronology of India's battle against cross-border terrorism and explained how Operation Sindoor marks a strategic shift in India’s doctrine under Prime Minister Modi — signaling zero tolerance for terrorism without risking wider escalation.

The day concluded with an interaction with the Indian diaspora in the UAE. Delegation members lauded the expatriate community for their significant contributions and for embodying the Indian values of tolerance, pluralism, and unity. They also acknowledged the diaspora's resilience against divisive narratives seeking to fragment India’s social cohesion.

On May 23, the delegation will engage in high-level, closed-door strategic dialogues with leading think tanks and policy experts in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, as part of India's broader diplomatic offensive to build a united international front against terrorism.

This outreach underscores New Delhi’s commitment to regional security, counterterrorism, and strengthening its global partnerships amid escalating threats to peace and stability in South Asia.