What Discussions Did the Indian Delegation Hold on Counter-Terrorism with the African Union in Ethiopia?

Addis Ababa, May 31 (NationPress) The Indian all-party delegation, under the leadership of Supriya Sule from the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP-SP), engaged in productive discussions with the African Union in Ethiopia on Saturday. The dialogue centered around strategies to combat terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. This engagement is set to enhance collaboration between India and the African Union in efforts to prevent and fight terrorism globally.

Earlier in the day, the delegation met with Adem Farah, Deputy Chairman of the Prosperity Party and Deputy Prime Minister of Ethiopia, where they communicated India's unified and robust stance against terrorism.

The delegates provided insights on India's 'New Normal' approach, which includes a zero-tolerance policy towards terrorism and a commitment from political parties to unite on all matters concerning national interest.

The Deputy PM condemned terrorist acts and stressed the necessity for collective international efforts. He also reiterated Ethiopia’s commitment to collaborating with India in counter-terrorism initiatives.

The delegates arrived in Addis Ababa carrying a clear message of zero-tolerance towards terrorism as part of India's diplomatic outreach under Operation Sindoor.

The delegation also met with Hailemariam Dessalegn, former Prime Minister of Ethiopia, sharing India's unwavering position on 'zero tolerance against terrorism' and its determination to tackle terrorism comprehensively. The former Prime Minister condemned all forms of terror and expressed Ethiopian solidarity with India.

“Hailemariam conveyed heartfelt condolences to the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack, linking it to terrorist activities in the Horn of Africa and the Sahel region. He pledged to promote the message of 'zero tolerance against terrorism' among Africa's elders and influential groups to build a consensus on addressing this issue both regionally and globally,” stated an official release from the Indian Embassy in Addis Ababa.

During their three-day visit to Ethiopia, the multi-party delegation will meet with Ethiopian leadership and interact with various stakeholders, including media, civil society, academicians, and the Indian community, to convey India's firm stance on zero-tolerance towards terrorism.

“This visit is significant in light of the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, where 26 civilians, including one from Nepal, were tragically killed, marking the highest civilian casualties in a terrorist incident since the 2008 Mumbai attacks. The brutality of the Pahalgam attack, with victims shot at close range in front of their families, underscores the severity of this issue,” highlighted the statement.

“The attack aimed to provoke communal unrest in Jammu and Kashmir and across India, as well as to project their terrorist agenda globally. In response, India executed a measured and responsible reaction under Operation Sindoor on May 7, 2025,” the statement further elaborated.

The all-party delegation led by Supriya Sule includes prominent BJP members Rajiv Pratap Rudy, Anurag Thakur, and V. Muraleedharan, alongside Congress leaders Manish Tewari and Anand Sharma, Telugu Desam Party's Lavu Sri Krishna Devarayalu, Aam Aadmi Party leader Vikramjeet Singh Sawhney, and former diplomat Syed Akbaruddin.

This delegation is part of India's global diplomatic outreach to emphasize the importance of Operation Sindoor and India's unwavering commitment to combating Pakistan-sponsored cross-border terrorism.