An all-party parliamentary delegation from India, led by BJP MP Baijayant Jay Panda, is currently visiting Saudi Arabia from 27 to 29 May 2025 as part of India’s global diplomatic outreach following the April 22 Pahalgam terrorist attack that killed 26 civilians in Indian-administered Kashmir.
The delegation met with Adel Al-Jubeir, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs of Saudi Arabia, to convey India’s firm stance against terrorism and seek continued cooperation in countering extremism. The Indian representatives emphasised that acts of terrorism cannot be justified under any circumstances and highlighted India’s zero-tolerance policy toward such activities.
During their meetings, the delegation expressed gratitude for Saudi Arabia’s condemnation of the Pahalgam attack and underlined the need for coordinated global action to combat terrorism. This includes dismantling terrorist infrastructure, cutting off financing and safe havens, and rejecting any political justification for terrorist activities. The Indian side referenced Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent statement: “This is certainly not the era of war, but this is also not the era of terrorism.”
The delegation also engaged with Dr. Mishaal Al-Sulami, Deputy Speaker of the Shura Council, for discussions on India’s approach to counter-terrorism. The Indian representatives noted Saudi Arabia’s consistent support on counter-terrorism issues and expressed confidence in continued cooperation on de-radicalization and combating extremism.
The delegation arrived in Riyadh early on Wednesday and interacted with India’s diplomatic mission before proceeding with their official engagements. They were also hosted by senior Saudi officials and members of the Saudi-India Parliamentary Friendship Committee.
The visit forms part of India’s broader diplomatic initiative involving multiple all-party delegations travelling to over 30 countries to highlight India’s anti-terrorism resolve and garner international support following the Pahalgam attack. The attack led to military escalation between India and Pakistan before a ceasefire was declared on May 10.
The Saudi visit concluded with interactions with prominent members of Saudi civil society, offering opportunities for further dialogue on counter-terrorism efforts and broader aspects of the India-Saudi Arabia bilateral partnership.
