Doha: As part of India’s global outreach following the Pahalgam terror attack, a multi-party Indian parliamentary delegation is on a high-level diplomatic visit to Qatar from May 24 to 26, 2025. The visit aims to reinforce international understanding of India’s zero-tolerance policy towards terrorism and strengthen bilateral cooperation with strategic partners like Qatar.
The delegation’s engagements in Doha on May 25, 2025, included meetings with Qatari lawmakers at the Shura Council, discussions with leading academic and think-tank voices, and interactions with the local media, focusing on global terrorism, regional peace, and India’s calibrated response through Operation Sindoor.
Paying Tribute to the Message of Peace
The delegation commenced its day by paying floral tributes to Mahatma Gandhi at the Indian Embassy premises in Doha. The members recalled India’s civilisational legacy of peace and non-violence, as espoused by Mahatma Gandhi and Gautam Buddha. The act was symbolic of India’s enduring commitment to diplomacy, harmony, and peaceful conflict resolution — even in the face of violence and provocation.
Strategic Dialogue with Qatar’s Shura Council
The delegation then visited Qatar’s Shura Council, where they were received by H.E. Dr. Hamda bint Hassan Al Sulaiti, Deputy Speaker of the Council, and other Qatari dignitaries. In the meeting, the Indian delegation:
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Condemned the Pahalgam terror attack, describing it as a calculated attempt to disrupt peace and development in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
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Underscored the continued threat of cross-border terrorism and the role of deliberate misinformation campaigns aimed at disturbing social cohesion in India.
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Emphasized that Operation Sindoor, India’s military response to the attack, was targeted, proportionate, and restrained, and reflected India’s commitment to peace, even while ensuring security.
The Qatari side strongly condemned terrorism in all forms, aligning with India’s stance. They reiterated Qatar’s own zero-tolerance policy towards terrorism, and expressed support for collaborative efforts to ensure regional and global stability.
Academic and Media Engagements Enhance Mutual Understanding
Later in the day, the delegation engaged with experts from the Middle East Council for Global Affairs, one of Qatar’s leading policy and research institutions. The discussion focused on:
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The dangers of differentiating between terrorist actors and their supporters,
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The evolving tactics of transnational terrorism, and
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The importance of shared international efforts to hold state and non-state actors accountable.
Participants appreciated India’s transparent approach and acknowledged the need for consistent academic dialogue to counter extremist ideologies.
The delegation also met editorial teams from leading Qatari newspapers — Al Sharq and Peninsula — where they presented India’s perspective on:
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The strategic reasoning behind Operation Sindoor,
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The need for an impartial global response to terrorism, and
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The importance of responsible media narratives in countering propaganda and misinformation.
These interactions allowed India to effectively communicate its stance to the broader Arab world, fostering understanding and media cooperation on sensitive global issues.
Conclusion
The visit of India’s parliamentary delegation to Qatar underlines New Delhi’s proactive diplomatic efforts to engage constructively with its international partners in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack. By combining strategic discussions with grassroots engagement in academia and media, the delegation effectively conveyed India’s principled and restrained response to terrorism and reinforced its global call for unified action against extremism. The deepening of India-Qatar ties, underlined by mutual respect and shared values, reflects a significant stride in India’s counter-terror diplomacy in the Gulf region.
For more details check press release on MEA website.
