In a significant diplomatic development, all-party delegations from India and Pakistan are visiting the United States around the same time this week to garner support from American political leaders and lawmakers. While the agendas and narratives of the two delegations differ markedly, the presence of both teams in New York and Washington could potentially intensify attention on the current tensions between the neighboring nations.

Indian Delegation Led by Shashi Tharoor Returns to the US

The Indian delegation, headed by Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, is set to return to Washington on June 3 following diplomatic engagements in Latin American countries such as Guyana, Panama, Colombia, and Brazil. This multi-party team includes notable political figures such as Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Bhubaneshwar Kalita, Shiv Sena MP Milind Deora, and former Indian ambassador to the US Taranjit Singh Sandhu.

Earlier, the Indian group had made an initial stop in New York on May 24. Due to the US Congress being out of session over the Memorial Day weekend , the delegation opted to travel to Latin America before returning for further interactions in Washington. Their agenda includes meetings with key members of the Trump administration, influential Congressional committees, and prominent lawmakers, aiming to communicate India’s recent policy actions and security concerns.

While in New York, Tharoor emphasized India’s evolving counterterrorism posture, stating that Pakistan is now being made to bear a heavier diplomatic and strategic cost for its alleged support of terrorism. Tharoor also underscored India’s stance that Pakistan has shown little intent in dismantling terror infrastructure.

Pakistani Delegation Led by Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari Begins Visit

Meanwhile, a nine-member Pakistani delegation led by former foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari is commencing its diplomatic outreach in the US on June 2. This high-profile team includes former ministers Hina Rabbani Khar, Sherry Rehman, Khurram Dastgir Khan, and ex-foreign secretaries Jalil Abbas Jilani and Tehmina Janjua. In addition to its US leg, the Pakistani team is scheduled to visit London and Brussels as part of a broader diplomatic effort.

According to a statement from Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the delegation's objective is to present Pakistan’s narrative on what it terms as “recent Indian aggression” and to call for global support for peace in South Asia.

Islamabad’s message focuses on the need for diplomacy, dialogue, and responsible state conduct in the face of what it describes as India’s “reckless and belligerent actions.” The delegation will also advocate for the resumption of the Indus Waters Treaty, which was suspended by India following the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack.

The Broader Diplomatic Context: Operation Sindoor and Global Outreach

India’s diplomatic initiative follows the launch of Operation Sindoor, a military operation targeting terrorist infrastructure in retaliation for the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam that claimed the lives of 26 civilians. In response, New Delhi announced it would dispatch seven all-party delegations to 33 countries to explain the rationale behind its actions and rally international support.

Pakistan, in turn, has responded by organizing its series of diplomatic missions to key global capitals. The stated aim of these visits is to counter India’s narrative and reinforce Pakistan’s commitment to peace through dialogue.

Additional Engagements in Russia

Beyond the US, both countries have extended their diplomatic efforts to Russia. An Indian delegation led by DMK MP Kanimozhi visited Russia from May 23–24. During the visit, the delegation met with members of both houses of the Russian Parliament, foreign ministry officials, and think tanks. They reiterated India's united stance on counterterrorism and stressed zero tolerance for nuclear blackmail. Meetings with Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko resulted in commitments to bolster counter-terror cooperation.

Simultaneously, Pakistan is dispatching another delegation to Russia from June 2–4, headed by the Prime Minister’s Special Assistant Tariq Fatemi. The delegation is expected to meet senior Russian officials and participate in media and think tank engagements.

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