On May 24–26, 2025, an All-Party Parliamentary Delegation from India, led by Hon’ble Member of Parliament, Mr. Sanjay Kumar Jha, visited the Republic of Korea (ROK) to reinforce India’s zero-tolerance policy against terrorism. This visit, part of Operation Sindoor, aimed to engage with Korean dignitaries, the Indian diaspora, and media to highlight India’s resolute stance following the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, 2025. The delegation’s interactions underscored India’s commitment to combating terrorism and its sponsors, while fostering international cooperation to address global security challenges.
Context of the Visit
The delegation’s visit was a critical component of India’s diplomatic outreach to 33 global capitals, aimed at exposing Pakistan’s role in orchestrating terrorist activities, particularly the barbaric Pahalgam attack that claimed 26 lives. The delegation, comprising MPs from various political parties including Aparajita Sarangi, Abhishek Banerjee, Brij Lal, John Brittas, Pradan Baruah, Hemang Joshi, Salman Khurshid, and former ambassador Mohan Kumar, emphasized a unified national resolve. Their engagements in Seoul were strategically planned to align with India’s new normal of swift and decisive retaliation against terrorism, ensuring a measured, targeted, and non-escalatory response.
Key Engagements in Seoul
On May 25, 2025, the delegation began their visit with a briefing by Mr. Amit Kumar, Ambassador of India to ROK, who outlined a Korea-specific approach to convey India’s anti-terrorism stance. The delegation met with the Indian diaspora in Seoul, explaining Pakistan’s involvement in the Pahalgam attack and India’s precise response through Operation Sindoor, which targeted terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir on May 7, 2025. They emphasized that India’s actions were responsible and non-escalatory, avoiding civilian casualties. On May 26, 2025, the delegation held substantive discussions with prominent Korean figures, including:
- Dr. Yoon Young-kwan, former ROK Minister of Foreign Affairs.
- Mr. Cho Hyun, former Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs.
- Amb. Shin Bong-kil and Amb. Lee Joon-gyu, former ROK Ambassadors to India.
- Rep. Kim Gunn, Ranking Member of the Parliamentary Foreign Affairs Committee.
- Major Gen Shin Sang-gyun, Director of the National Counter-Terrorism Center.
- Mr. Sung Il-jong, Chairperson of the National Defence Committee.
- Mr. Yun Ho-jung, Chairperson of the Korea-India Parliamentary Friendship Group.
These interactions focused on the heinous nature of the Pahalgam attack and India’s calibrated response. The delegation urged corrective actions in international forums like the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) to address terrorism financing and emphasized that no distinction should be made between terrorists and their sponsors. The Korean side expressed firm opposition to terrorism and supported India’s position.
India’s New Normal and Global Outreach
The delegation reiterated India’s zero-tolerance policy against terrorism, stating that dialogue cannot coexist with terror. They highlighted Operation Sindoor as a demonstration of India’s new normal—a policy of swift and precise retaliation against terrorist acts. The visit to South Korea followed a successful trip to Japan, where the delegation paid tributes to Mahatma Gandhi and Rash Behari Bose and garnered support for India’s anti-terrorism efforts. The delegation’s global outreach underscores India’s commitment to uniting the international community against terrorism and its sponsors, particularly in light of Pakistan’s attempts to disrupt communal harmony in India.
The visit to South Korea is a strategic move to strengthen India-ROK bilateral cooperation on counter-terrorism and build a global consensus against terrorism. By engaging with Korean officials, think tanks, and media, the delegation amplified India’s message of unity and resolve. The emphasis on targeted strikes and non-escalatory measures during Operation Sindoor highlights India’s responsible approach to national security. This diplomatic effort aligns with India’s broader goal of fostering international collaboration to combat terrorism and ensure global peace.
Key Takeaways for Competitive Exams
The All-Party Parliamentary Delegation’s visit to South Korea is a significant event for students preparing for competitive exams, as it reflects India’s proactive stance on global security and diplomacy. Understanding the context of Operation Sindoor, the Pahalgam attack, and India’s diplomatic outreach provides insights into current affairs, international relations, and India’s foreign policy priorities.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Event | All-Party Parliamentary Delegation Visit to South Korea |
| Date | May 24–26, 2025 |
| Leader | Sanjay Kumar Jha (JD(U) MP) |
| Key Members | Aparajita Sarangi, Abhishek Banerjee, Brij Lal, John Brittas, Pradan Baruah, Hemang Joshi, Salman Khurshid, Mohan Kumar |
| Purpose | Reinforce India’s zero-tolerance policy against terrorism via Operation Sindoor |
| Trigger | Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, 2025, claiming 26 lives |
| Key Engagements | Meetings with Korean officials, Indian diaspora, think tanks, and media |
| Outcome | Strengthened India-ROK counter-terrorism cooperation, global outreach against terrorism |