Ghulam Nabi Azad, part of India's outreach delegation, to return home after discharge from hospital in Kuwait

BJP MP Baijayant Panda, who is leading the delegation to Saudi Arabia, on Wednesday told ANI, "He did stellar work in two countries. It was a gruelling schedule of morning-to-night meetings and late-night flights. Despite all of that, he spoke up very strongly for India, and unfortunately, he had an illness and had to be hospitalised. The good news is that it's all clear, and tests and whatever procedures were to be done have been done."

"He will not be in a position to join us. He will be heading back to India now, and we wish him a very speedy recovery. His contribution was wonderful in the two countries we were in. We will miss him very much here in Saudi Arabia, and we are also going to Algeria next, but he has contributed phenomenally," he said.

Panda also highlighted India and Saudi Arabia's "closeness" in their fight against terrorism, noting that both countries have suffered from it.

"Most importantly, Saudi Arabia has faced horrible terrorism in the past and has taken a very principled stand. PM Modi was here in Saudi Arabia when that horrific terrorist attack in Pahalgam happened, and the joint statement issued by His Royal Highness, the Crown Prince and from our side, strictly speaks against terrorism of any kind and all kinds and especially cross-border terrorism... We are on the same page as Saudi Arabia," he said.

BJP MP Nishikant Dubey, also part of the delegation, said that they conveyed their message to Saudi Arabia that India will retaliate with full force if they commit any terrorist act.

"I think Saudi Arabia is aware of the worries that we have. We met with a think tank of the Foreign Ministry here, and we clearly said that they (Pakistan) will have to shut terrorist camps; if they commit any terrorist act, we will retaliate with full force. We have tried to make things better, but it didn't help. Saudi Arabia has acknowledged our concern," he said.

The government has formed seven all-party delegations, which are visiting key partner countries, including members of the UN Security Council, to explain the purpose of Operation Sindoor.

The delegations showcase India's national consensus and resolute approach to combating terrorism globally.

Each delegation comprises Members of Parliament from different parties, political personalities, and diplomats.

The delegation of which Azad was a part has already visited Bahrain (May 23), Kuwait (May 25), and is currently in Saudi Arabia, with the J&K leader participating actively in the earlier rounds of high-level meetings with political leaders.

The other members of the delegation include Nishikant Dubey, Phangnon Konyak, Rekha Sharma (all BJP), Asaduddin Owaisi (AIMIM), Satnam Sandhu (nominated), and former foreign secretary Harsh V Shringla.