Continuing its engagements, the All-Party Delegation led by Ms. Kanimozhi Karunanidhi, Member of Parliament (Lok Sabha) undertook interactions with members of various think tanks, academia, and journalists on 23-24 May. These engagements were in line with the delegation’s mandate to project India’s united resolve and zero-tolerance approach towards terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.

2. On the evening of 23 May, the delegation held in depth discussions with scholars and experts from the Institute of World Economy and International Relations (IMEMO), Higher School of Economics (HSE), Russian Institute of Strategic Studies (RISS), Valdai Discussion Club and Russian International Affairs Council (RIAC), among others. The interaction focused on the risks posed by complicity of State actors in cross-border terrorism, especially when coupled with disinformation campaigns aimed at obscuring ground realities. Drawing from shared regional experiences, both sides discussed frameworks for cooperation in counter-terrorism research, strategic foresight and crisis response mechanisms. There was also mutual recognition of the need for greater academic engagement between Indian and Russian institutions.

3. On 24 May, the delegation held a media interaction with prominent Russian journalists from TASS, Kommersant, Vedomosti, RBC, Izvestia, RIA Novosti, RT and Sputnik, among others. The Indian delegation highlighted the evolving tactics of transnational terrorist groups, including the use of humanitarian cover and emerging technologies to spread violence. Further, the delegation addressed the need to combat selective silence, politicisation of terror narratives, and the growing menace of state-sponsored propaganda. India’s demand for accountability for cross-border terrorist attacks was firmly reiterated.

4. The delegation reinforced India’s diplomatic efforts to sensitise international partners, particularly strategic and media communities, the need for a principled, consistent, and coordinated global response against terrorism.

5. India and Russia share a time-tested relationship based on mutual trust and cooperation underpinned by their Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership and these engagements of the allparty delegation with the Russian parliamentarians, officials, think tanks and media representatives on 23-24 May, further deepened the strategic convergence between the two countries on issues of global and regional significance.

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Vivek vaibhav

(Release ID: 2131130)