India’s Ambassador to Russia, Vinay Kumar, on Friday briefed an all-party parliamentary delegation led by DMK MP Kanimozhi on key aspects of India-Russia bilateral relations, ahead of a series of high-level meetings in Moscow. The visit is part of India’s ongoing diplomatic outreach under Operation Sindoor, aimed at garnering international support for its zero-tolerance stance on terrorism.
The Indian Embassy in Russia confirmed the briefing via a post on X (formerly Twitter), stating: “Ambassador @vkumar1969 briefs the Hon’ble MPs…on various aspects of India-Russia relations, before they start the official engagements.”
The delegation includes a cross-party group of lawmakers:
- SP MP Rajeev Rai
- NC MP Mian Altaf Ahmad
- BJP MP Captain Brijesh Chowkta
- RJD MP Prem Chand Gupta
- AAP MP Ashok Kumar Mittal
- NCP MP Jawed Ashraf
- Former Ambassador Manjeev Singh Puri
The Moscow stop is part of a broader international tour covering Russia, Slovenia, Greece, Latvia, and Spain, with the overarching goal of conveying India’s unified political will to fight terrorism and explaining recent security actions, including India’s response to the Pahalgam terror attack.
Speaking to ANI before formal meetings, Kanimozhi underlined the importance of engaging with Russia during a critical phase in global counterterrorism diplomacy.
“Russia has been a strategic partner… It becomes very important at this point to reach out to Russia when we have been facing terror attacks time and again,” she said.
The delegation is expected to meet top Russian officials, including:
- Andre Denison, First Deputy Chair of the Committee on International Affairs
- Leonid Slutsky, Chair of the State Duma Committee
- Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister
- Former Prime Minister Mikhail Fradkov
- Representatives from leading think tanks and Russian media
Kanimozhi emphasized the delegation’s role in articulating India’s security concerns, particularly in the aftermath of coordinated Indian precision strikes on terror camps in Pakistan and PoJK, launched as part of Operation Sindoor.
Following retaliatory cross-border shelling and attempted drone attacks by Pakistan, India responded by targeting radar systems and communication hubs at several Pakistani military installations. A ceasefire agreement was later reached on May 10, signaling a temporary pause in hostilities.
The Indian government has launched multi-nation diplomatic missions to present a united political front against terrorism and to strengthen global counterterrorism partnerships.
This visit to Moscow is seen as a significant step in reinforcing India’s strategic ties with Russia, while also positioning New Delhi as a key voice in the global fight against terror.
