India’s vision as a leading voice in the Global South, and on current tensions with Pakistan

Mr. Sifiso Mahlangu, Editor of The Star sat with the leader of the all-party parliamentary delegation from India, NCP (SCP) MP Ms Supriya Sule, to discuss the current state of relations between India and Pakistan in the context of the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir and the visit of a multi-party delegation from India

1. Ms Supriya Sule, Welcome to South Africa. We saw that there was a brief skirmish between India and Pakistan, which has fortunately ended with a ceasefire. What were the reasons for this clash between the countries?

The recent clash was a direct consequence of the Pahalgam terror attack, which tragically claimed 26 innocent lives. India has long maintained that terrorism emanating from across the border remains the most serious threat to regional peace. However, there has been no let-up from Pakistan, which continues to nurture terrorists to disturb peace and tranquillity in India. In the Pahalgam case, male tourists were identified by their religion and were shot dead in front of their families.

The Resistance Front, a frontal organisation of Lashkar-e-Taiba based in Pakistan, claimed responsibility. However, Pakistan, as in the past, didn't take any action against them. We, therefore, launched strikes on terrorist camps and terrorist infrastructure across the border. Our response was measured and focused, and non-escalatory, aimed at dismantling terror infrastructure. We are committed to peace but reserve the right to protect our citizens. We have made it clear that Operation Sindoor is paused; it's not yet over. The fight against terrorism will continue.

2. Could you elaborate on the importance of the multi-party delegation's visit to selected countries?

This delegation reflects an essential unity among India’s political parties on a critical national issue— that is, zero tolerance against terrorism. By engaging with key strategic partners, we seek to build global consensus on the need for accountability, especially where states continue to shelter and actively support terror groups. This visit reinforces the idea that terrorism is not a bilateral issue — it’s a global challenge demanding a coordinated international response.

3. Why were these specific countries chosen, and what role do they play in India’s international counterterrorism partnerships?

Seven multi-party delegations tasked with briefing various countries on Pakistan-sponsored cross-border terrorism will visit 32 countries and the European Union. These countries—including South Africa — were selected based on three factors: their role in global politics, their historical alignment with India in multilateral forums, and their growing voice in shaping global norms, especially within the Global South. They are partners whose moral and diplomatic support is critical to isolating and pressuring states that continue to harbour terrorism.

4. Please elaborate on the inclusion of South Africa in the list of these selected key countries. What is the message?

South Africa holds a special place for India. Our relationship is historic. We were active supporters of the South African people in their struggle against Apartheid. Also, as a fellow member of the Global South, South Africa’s voice carries great weight. Our message here is clear: terrorism anywhere threatens peace everywhere. We look forward to strengthening our counterterrorism cooperation.

5. How does this diplomatic mission tie into India’s broader response following the Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor?

Operation Sindoor is a counter-terror initiative meant to dismantle terror infrastructure, infiltration modules, and deter future attacks. The operations have been executed under self-imposed restraint to avoid collateral damage, only terrorist targets were neutralised, avoiding civilian harm. Unfortunately, Pakistan responded by attacking India's military installations and civilians in India. We responded to their provocations in equal measure and, at their request, agreed to a pause in our military operations. The multi-party delegation abroad complements Operation Sindoor by seeking broader consensus on Terrorism. Terrorism cannot be addressed in silos — it needs global political isolation of perpetrators and structural changes in counter-terror cooperation.

6. What is the central message that the multi-party delegation will be carrying from India regarding cross-border terrorism?

Our central message is that India has a zero-tolerance approach to terrorism and that the world should also adopt a zero-tolerance stance.

Terrorism is an existential threat, and it cannot be normalised or rationalised. There can be no double standards—no “good” or “bad” terrorism. India is asking the world to hold accountable those who shelter, finance, or glorify terrorism, and to support efforts for transparent international mechanisms that prevent safe havens.

7. How does India define zero tolerance against terrorism in practical terms, especially when engaging with international partners?

UNSC resolution 1566 mentions that terrorism, under no circumstances, is justifiable by considerations of a political, philosophical, ideological, racial, ethical, religious or other similar nature. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has declared that even a single attack is one too many, and even a single life lost is one too many. He has outlined elements of India’s zero tolerance against terrorism:

●If there is a terrorist attack on India, a fitting reply will be given.

●India will not tolerate any nuclear blackmail. India will strike precisely and decisively at the terrorist hideouts developing under the cover of nuclear blackmail.

●India will not differentiate between the government sponsoring terrorism and the masterminds of terrorism. We will continue to take decisive steps to protect India and its citizens from any threat.

●India believes that terror and talks cannot go together... terror and trade cannot go together…. water and blood cannot flow together. We urge our partners to adopt a common global framework that ensures no terrorist escapes justice, no matter the geography.

8. What counter-terrorism steps, in your opinion, should be taken by Pakistan to satisfy India?

Pakistan had offered a neutral investigation of the Pahalgam attack. Why didn’t India agree? Honestly, it’s a deflection strategy. India has seen repeated patterns of denial and diversion from Pakistan in the aftermath of attacks.

Offers of “neutral investigations” ring hollow when known terrorists operate openly on their soil. We had invited their investigators post the Pathankot terror attack, but did not hear from them afterwards, nor did they allow our investigators to visit Pakistan. What has happened to the Mumbai attack? What has happened to the Pathankot air base attack? What has happened to the Pulwama attack?

India has given them dossiers and technical inputs. Even America has shared with them evidence. Everything is there, but they have not taken any action.

Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi, who was the main planner of the Mumbai attack, is still roaming freely. No action has been taken against Hafiz Saeed, the head of Lashkar-e-Taiba, planner and executioner of the Mumbai attack. No one should be able to believe them. For India to engage, Pakistan must immediately:

• Dismantle all terror infrastructure• Hand over to India terrorists like Hafiz Saeed, Sajid Mir and Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi, just like the US handed over 26/11 mastermind Tahawwur Hussain Rana.

• Cease support and glorification of terror as state policy. Credibility is key. Without verifiable and sustained action, words are not enough.

9. Explain to us the significance of the suspension of the Indus Water Treaty (IWT) that Pakistan has described as "an act of war"?

The Indus Water Treaty was signed in 1960, and the preamble of the treaty includes two key words - goodwill and friendship.... Over the past many years, what we have seen is that we were allowing water to flow even over our own genuine developmental needs, and what was Pakistan doing - they were actively pushing terrorists into India.

So, the two key words that guided the Indus Water Treaty were never honoured, and India, on the contrary, was always battling against terror attacks emanating from Pakistan. We had conveyed to Pakistan that this could not go on like this. Our Prime Minister said that blood and water cannot flow together, and that is the reason that we decided to put the Indus Water Treaty in abeyance.

10. How important is the multi-party composition of this delegation in strengthening India’s message abroad? It is immensely important. When we speak abroad on an issue like terrorism, it is crucial to demonstrate that the message comes not from a single party or government, but from the collective will of India’s democracy. This multi-party delegation underlines that India speaks with one voice on national security and terror.

11. How would the multi-party delegation present a unified national voice despite differing political ideologies at home?

We are united by the principle that national security transcends party lines. In our deliberations, we’ve set aside political differences to present a coherent and consistent message. Our delegation is proof that we prioritise unity over partisanship when it comes to our country’s security.

12. What specific engagements or meetings are planned for the delegation?

We have scheduled meetings with the Government, Political Parties, Portfolio Committee on International Relations and Cooperation, members of Parliament, civil society organisations, and think tanks. We’re also engaging with the Indian diaspora, whose voice and experience are critical in shaping public opinion and mobilising the support needed against terrorism.

13. Are there any expected outcomes, such as joint statements, MOUs, or future frameworks for cooperation, that you can share? We have ongoing, robust counterterrorism cooperation. This visit is specific to project our national resolve against terror and to seek to build a global consensus. We had presented a draft in the UN on the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism; we would like to see that our efforts are not constrained by narrow differences.

14. Besides security, will other issues, such as economic ties, multilateral cooperation, or diaspora concerns, be part of your discussions?

While counterterrorism is the primary agenda, the delegation would utilise the opportunity to advocate for enhanced trade cooperation, deeper political and people-to-people ties, India-Africa development partnerships, and diaspora welfare. Visit of the delegation is also a chance to reinforce India’s role as a trusted development partner and democratic voice in the Global South.

15. How does this effort align with India’s vision as a leading voice in the Global South and a key player in multilateral institutions like the UN?

India believes that real reform in global governance starts with solidarity among the Global South. By speaking together and acting together, we can influence institutions like the UN and its Security Council to adopt realistic and timely measures against terrorism.

This visit is a step toward that long-term vision of a world where sovereignty cannot be misused to harbour terrorism and other forms of extremism. 

The Multi-Party Parliamentary Delegation:

The delegation comprised of Ms Supriya Sule, Member of Parliament, NCP, Supriya Sule is from the Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar). 

Rajiv Pratap RudyMember of Parliament, BJPMr. Rajiv Pratap Rudy is a senior politician from Bihar and a prominent leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). He is a four-time Member of Parliament and currently represents the Saran Lok Sabha constituency.

Anurag Singh Thakur, Member of Parliament, BJP Mr. Anurag Singh Thakur is a senior politician from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and a four-time Member of Parliament from Hamirpur, Himachal Pradesh, currently serving in the 18th Lok Sabha after his re-election in 2024.

Manish Tewari, Member of Parliament, Congress. Mr. Manish Tewari is an Indian lawyer and senior leader of the Indian National Congress, currently serving as a Member of Parliament from Chandigarh in the 18th Lok Sabha.

Tewari served as the Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting from 2012 to 2014. Mr. Tewari has consistently spoken on matters of internal security and counterterrorism and is the author of the book "10 Flashpoints: 20 Years - National Security Situations that Impacted India", which analyses major national security challenges, including the response to terrorism.

Vellamvelly Muraleedharan is a senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader from Kerala who served as Minister of State for External Affairs and Parliamentary Affairs from 2019 to 2024.

Ambassador (Retd.) Syed Akbaruddin, Former Permanent Representative of India to the United Nations in New York, Former Spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs, Ambassador Syed Akbaruddin is best known for his tenure as India’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations from January 2016 to April 2020.

Anand Sharma, Member, Congress Working Committee. Anand Sharma is a senior Indian politician and former Union Minister for Commerce & Industry and MoS External Affairs. A veteran leader of the Indian National Congress, he served as the Deputy Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha from 2014 to 2022.

Lavu Sri Krishna Devarayalu, Member of Parliament, TDP Mr. Lavu Sri Krishna Devarayalu is a Member of Parliament representing Narasaraopet, Andhra Pradesh. He currently serves as the leader of the TDP Parliamentary Party in the 18th Lok Sabha.

Vikramjit Singh Sahney, Member of Parliament, AAP. Mr. Vikramjit Singh Sahney is an Indian entrepreneur, philanthropist, and Rajya Sabha Member of Parliament from Punjab.

A list of major terror attacks in India carried out by Pakistan-based terror groups: Mumbai Serial Blasts

On Date: 12 March 1993 in Mumbai, Maharashtra, 257 were killed and  1,400 were injured. A series of 12 bomb blasts across Mumbai, targeting locations such as hotels, markets, and the airport.

The Chittisinghpura Massacre. On 20 March 2000, 35 people were killed. 

On the eve of U.S. President Bill Clinton's visit to India, 35 villagers were killed in Chittisinghpura, Jammu and Kashmir.

On 22 December 2000, three people were killed. Two militants attacked the Red Fort in Delhi, killing 3 Indian nationals.

Terror attack on the Parliament of India. On 13 December 2001 in New Delhi, 9 Indian nationals killed. Five terrorists attacked the Indian Parliament building.

On 24 September 2002 in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, 30 people were killed and 80 injured.

Two terrorists attacked the Akshardham Temple, resulting in a 14-hour siege that resulted in 30 casualties.

54 were killed in car bombings in Mumbai at the Gateway of India. There were 244 injuries.

On 29 October 2005, three bomb blasts occurred in crowded markets and a bus, just before the Diwali festival. Lashkar-e-Taiba claimed responsibility under the name "Islamic Inquilab Mahaz. 

There are many more reported attacks linked to terrorist activities.