By  Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo

The All-Party Parliamentary Delegation led by Hon’ble Member of Parliament, Mr. Sanjay Kumar Jha arrived in Seoul as part of a broader five-nation diplomatic outreach to brief on the significance of Operation Sindoor, the Embassy of India in Seoul said on May 27.

The visit, scheduled from 24-26 May 2025, is an integral part of the Government of India’s ongoing efforts to further India’s principled and unwavering stance of zero tolerance against terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.

During the course of their visit, the delegation engaged with senior officials of ROK’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, dignitaries from the National Assembly of ROK and prominent representatives from think tanks and media.

On May 25, the All-Party Parliamentary began their engagements on Operation Sindoor with a briefing by Mr. Amit Kumar, Ambassador of India to ROK. He highlighted the Korea-specific approach to scheduled engagements, setting the context for a strong messaging of India’s stance of zero tolerance against terrorism.

The delegation interacted with the Indian community in ROK and shared their insights on Operation Sindoor. The delegation clearly explained Pakistan’s involvement in orchestrating the barbaric terror attack in Pahalgam on April 22 and highlighted Pakistan’s efforts to cause social disharmony in India. They highlighted that our initial response as well as subsequent action was measured, targeted, non-escalatory, and responsible. Reaffirming India’s principled and resolute stand against terrorism, they reiterated that dialogue cannot co-exist with terror.

The delegation also held substantive interactions with eminent Korean dignitaries, including former ROK Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Yoon Young-kwan, Former Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Cho Hyun, Former Ambassadors of ROK to India.

The delegation apprised them about the heinous act of terrorism in Pahalgam, and subsequent measured, and non-escalatory action taken by India. They also highlighted the need for taking corrective actions in international forums, including FATF. The delegation reaffirmed India’s “New Normal” of swift and decisive retaliation on India’s terms against terrorism. They also emphasized that no distinction can be made between terrorists and their sponsors. The Korean side conveyed their firm opposition to terrorism and expressed understanding of India’s position.

On May 26, as part of India’s ongoing and unwavering commitment to combating terrorism, the All-Party Parliamentary Delegation briefly interacted with ROK Foreign Minister Mr. Cho Tae-yul, who joined the meeting during their engagement with First Vice Foreign Minister Kim Hong Kyun.

The delegation reiterated India’s firm resolve to combat terrorism. Foreign Minister Cho, referring to his telephonic conversation with the External Affairs Minister Dr. S Jaishankar earlier this month, reaffirmed RoK’s strong stance against terrorism and extended support to India’s fight against this menace.

During their meeting with First Vice Foreign Minister Kim Hong Kyun, the delegation briefed him on the barbaric terrorist attack in Pahalgam and the measured, calibrated, and non-escalatory response made by India. Vice Minister Kim condemned the attack and expressed understanding of India’s position, noting that the Special Strategic Partnership offers a good platform for further cooperation and joint efforts along with the international community in combating terrorism.

In a meeting with Chairperson of the Korea-India Parliamentary Friendship Group, Mr. Yun Ho-jung, the delegation reaffirmed India’s zero-tolerance policy towards terrorism. They further emphasized the position of making no distinction between terrorist and country supporting them and sought RoK’s support for bringing terrorist organizers, perpetrators, and financiers of terrorism to justice. Chairperson Yun conveyed that any act of terrorism is unacceptable and cannot be justified, and reaffirmed RoK’s strong stand against terrorism.

The delegation in another meeting with Chairperson of the National Defence Committee of the National Assembly of ROK, Mr. Sung Il-jong, apprised him that the terrorist attack in Pahalgam was not an accident, but a rather intentional act to disrupt communal harmony in India.

They reiterated India’s zero-tolerance policy on terrorism and sought RoK’s support in holding organizers, perpetrators, financiers and supporters of terrorism to account and bringing them to justice. Chairperson Sung acknowledged India’s measured response. Appreciating the detailed explanation provided by the delegation, he emphasised that any act of terrorism is a crime against humanity and cannot be condoned.

In addition to this, the delegation later held substantive discussions with key interlocutors from prominent think tanks, during which they outlined India’s “New Normal” against terrorism – swift and decisive retaliation on India’s terms and no distinction between terrorists and their sponsors.

During their last engagement of the day, the delegation in their interaction with leading Korean media houses firmly reiterated India’s policy of zero-tolerance against terrorism and that Operation Sindoor was India’s rightful targeted and measured response against terrorism. The delegation further emphasised that combating terrorism is not India’s responsibility alone, but a shared challenge for the international community, including the ROK.

After successfully completing their engagements and having firmly articulated India’s principled and resolute stance of zero tolerance against terrorism, the delegation departed from Seoul for Singapore.