In the ever-evolving theatre of South Asian geopolitics, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent strategic outreach to political parties across the spectrum marks a rare, compelling moment of national unity. The government's efforts to expose Pakistan’s longstanding complicity in cross-border terrorism were bolstered not just by diplomatic muscle but by the symbolic strength of an all-party delegation standing shoulder to shoulder. For once, domestic politics took a backseat, and India’s national interest rose above partisan divisions.
This unity, orchestrated and led by Prime Minister Modi, was not merely for domestic optics; it was a calculated diplomatic message to the international community — India will respond to terrorism with iron resolve, and its leadership, regardless of political affiliation, will remain unshakable when national security is at stake.
Modi’s Personal Outreach: Building a National Consensus
Modi’s decision to personally reach out to leaders of all major political parties underlined his understanding of the gravity of the situation. In an era when polarization runs deep, his effort to forge a national consensus on terrorism stood out. The Prime Minister did not just invite leaders for symbolic consultations; he met them with a statesman’s humility and a strategist’s clarity, expressing gratitude for their support and urging them to speak in one voice globally against Pakistan’s duplicity.
This personal touch worked wonders. It softened political tempers, evoked genuine respect from rivals, and most importantly, laid the foundation for bipartisan diplomacy. Modi was not just building internal consensus — he was preparing the soil for India’s narrative to be echoed across world capitals.
The Strategic Timing
The timing of the initiative was crucial. With international opinion slowly shifting towards holding state sponsors of terrorism accountable, Modi seized the momentum to intensify pressure on Pakistan. The all-party delegations were mobilised soon after credible intelligence linked Pakistani terror outfits to major attacks on Indian soil. The government sensed an opportunity: present a unified Indian voice to the world and rob Pakistan of any chance to label India's actions as politically motivated or domestically controversial.
Such consensus-building moves are rare in Indian politics. That they happened now signifies the maturity of India's democratic institutions when confronted with external threats. The world took note — this was not just the BJP’s war against terror; it was India’s.
Outcomes and Gains for India
The all-party delegations that visited key global capitals — Washington, London, Paris, Moscow, Berlin, and even Gulf nations — had one objective: unmask Pakistan’s terror infrastructure and demonstrate India’s unity in combating it. The results were tangible.
PM Modi meets members of the various delegations who represented India in different countries and elaborated on India's commitment to peace and the need to eradicate the menace of terrorism.
1st. Diplomatic Validation
Several global leaders and parliaments acknowledged India's concerns more openly. The U.S. Congress, British MPs, and European Parliament members issued strong statements condemning Pakistan-sponsored terror — a rarity just a decade ago. The presence of Indian opposition leaders in these delegations gave credibility to India’s case, dismissing Pakistani narratives of Indian political division or communal agendas.
2nd. Pakistan’s Global Isolation
The unified campaign intensified Pakistan’s diplomatic isolation. Even friendly nations such as China found it difficult to outright dismiss the evidence and resolve India displayed. Islamabad’s usual denial and deflection were met with scepticism. The FATF (Financial Action Task Force) tightened scrutiny. Aid flows shrank, and diplomatic engagements became tougher for Pakistan.
3rd. Counterterrorism Partnerships
India's message found resonance in multilateral forums. Western democracies, particularly the U.S. and France, offered enhanced intelligence cooperation and counterterrorism support. The all-party nature of India’s delegations convinced even fence-sitting countries that New Delhi was not merely flexing nationalist muscles but presenting a national security doctrine backed by its entire polity.
4th. Internal Political Maturity
At home, this episode strengthened India’s democratic image. It proved that Indian democracy can rise above electoral divisions when national interest is at stake. The optics of leaders like Rahul Gandhi, Sharad Pawar, and regional satraps speaking in unison with Modi’s envoys sent a powerful message domestically — India's sovereignty is non-negotiable.
Final. Global Media Coverage
Mainstream Western media, often skeptical of Modi’s domestic policies, portrayed this initiative as a commendable example of national unity. For once, international coverage focused not on internal divides but on India’s collective determination to defeat terror. That shift in perception is invaluable in a media-dominated world.
The Message to Pakistan
Pakistan, which often relies on projecting India as a fractured, Hindutva-dominated state, found itself cornered. Modi’s all-party delegations undercut Islamabad’s propaganda by revealing that India’s stand against terror transcended religious and political boundaries. The message was loud and clear: if Pakistan continues to harbour terror groups, the cost would be diplomatic censure, economic hardship, and, if necessary, calibrated retaliation.
Moreover, India’s show of unity thwarted Pakistan’s strategy to internationalize the Kashmir issue by presenting it as a bilateral or religious conflict. Instead, the global narrative began to shift — from "Kashmir as a disputed territory" to "Pakistan as a terror incubator."
Domestic Political Dividend
While Modi emerged as the orchestrator of this unity, the opposition too earned moral capital. By agreeing to join these delegations, parties like Congress, TMC, and NCP demonstrated statesmanship. Their move insulated them from criticism of playing politics over national security and added a layer of legitimacy to the mission. Even Modi’s critics grudgingly admitted that the Prime Minister acted more as a national leader than a party head in this episode.
Unity as a Strategic Doctrine
This instance sets a precedent. National security, especially in the face of external threats, should not become a political football. Modi’s initiative to institutionalise bipartisan responses to terror can become a strategic doctrine. It signals maturity to the global community, boosts internal morale, and confounds enemy strategies built around exploiting political divisions.
Such unity needs to be preserved beyond one episode. Institutional mechanisms — perhaps a National Security Council with opposition representation or an Emergency Strategic Response Panel — could be created to maintain this consensus-driven approach during future crises.
A Template for the Future
The Modi government has showcased how a firm but inclusive leadership can craft a diplomatic narrative that is nationally endorsed and globally respected. This episode can serve as a template for India’s future responses to security challenges — from cyberwarfare to hybrid conflicts.
It also underscores that when India speaks in one voice, even adversaries are forced to listen. The message that "terrorism is a red line" gains power when backed by unity.
Conclusion
India's calibrated and united response to Pakistan's terror agenda under Modi’s stewardship is more than an episodic victory. It is a textbook case of how soft power, hard diplomacy, and political sagacity can combine to deliver strategic gains. When internal unity reinforces external messaging, a country multiplies its global clout. And in this case, Modi’s personal touch, coupled with the opposition’s maturity, turned India’s pain into Pakistan’s peril.
(Writer is strategic affairs columnist and senior political analyst)
