Desk:In a unprecedented gesture of solidarity, the Parliament of Sierra Leone noticed a minute of silence on April 22 to honor the 26 victims of the Pahalgam terror assault in Jammu and Kashmir. This tribute was paid within the presence of an Indian all-party parliamentary delegation, symbolizing world unity in opposition to terrorism. The assault had claimed the lives of 25 vacationers and one native resident.
The Indian delegation, led by Shiv Sena MP Dr. Shrikant Shinde, is presently visiting Sierra Leone. A number of nations the world over have expressed their condolences and stood in solidarity with India following the brutal terror strike.
India and Sierra Leone share heat and pleasant relations, rooted in historic, cultural, and developmental cooperation. Each nations are members of the Commonwealth and the Non-Aligned Motion (NAM), reflecting their shared dedication to world peace and mutual values. India has prolonged help to Sierra Leone in schooling, healthcare, and infrastructure improvement, together with coaching and scholarships underneath the Indian Technical and Financial Cooperation (ITEC) program.
Sierra Leone presently serves as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Safety Council (UNSC) for the 2024-25 time period, marking its return to the Council after 54 years—it beforehand held the place in 1970–71. The nation additionally chairs the African Union’s C-10 group, which advocates for UNSC reforms. This makes Sierra Leone’s presence important for India, particularly as it’s also a member of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), the place India seeks help to strengthen its stance in opposition to terrorism.
Following the Pahalgam assault, India launched “Operation Sindoor,” concentrating on 9 terror camps and suspending the Indus Waters Treaty. This was adopted by a complete diplomatic marketing campaign to garner worldwide help, specializing in each everlasting and non-permanent members of the UNSC. India fashioned seven groups to have interaction with 32 nations and the European Union, together with Sierra Leone. Exterior Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar held telephonic conversations together with his counterparts from Algeria, Greece, Guyana, Panama, Sierra Leone, Slovenia, and Somalia to spotlight India’s counter-terrorism stance and the legitimacy of Operation Sindoor.
Nations like Sierra Leone and Liberia had been strategically engaged as a result of their affect within the UNSC and potential to help India’s place in boards just like the OIC. India’s bigger diplomatic goal consists of constructing world consensus in opposition to Pakistan’s alleged help for terrorism and reinforcing India’s bid for everlasting UNSC membership.
The Sierra Leone Parliament’s tribute is seen as a mirrored image of this rising worldwide consensus. A number of world leaders, together with U.S. President Donald Trump, French President Emmanuel Macron, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and European Union diplomats, have condemned the assault and prolonged condolences to India. The EU additionally noticed a minute of silence in New Delhi to honor the victims.
The assault occurred close to Baisaran Valley in Anantnag district’s Pahalgam space, a area identified for its scenic magnificence and accessible solely by foot or horseback by dense forests. 5 armed terrorists, wearing navy uniforms and wielding M4 carbines and AK-47s, opened fireplace on vacationers. Among the many 26 killed had been largely Hindu vacationers, a Christian pilgrim, and a neighborhood Muslim, Syed Adil Hussain Shah, who was martyred whereas trying to disarm one of many terrorists to guard the vacationers.
In response to the assault, India took swift and decisive motion by launching Operation Sindoor, conducting strikes on terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Diplomatic ties with Pakistan had been additional downgraded, and the Indus Waters Treaty was suspended. In line with Ministry of Exterior Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, the treaty will stay suspended till Pakistan credibly and irreversibly stops cross-border terrorism.
This sturdy and coordinated response marks a turning level in India’s counter-terrorism coverage, in addition to its diplomatic outreach to construct lasting worldwide consensus in opposition to terrorism.