New Delhi, May 19 -- In a return to familiar diplomatic ground, former Union minister of state and senior BJP leader SS Ahluwalia is part of a multi-party delegation who will visit key partner nations as part of a diplomatic outreach following Operation Sindoor, India's direct military response to the Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 lives. "It's a matter of pride that the Prime Minister considered me for this important responsibility... This is a significant assignment..." Ahluwalia told HT in a telephonic conversation. Ahluwalia will be part of the Group-4 delegation led by Shiv Sena's Shrikant Eknath Shinde, which will visit the UAE, Liberia, Democratic Republic of Congo, and Sierra Leone. India will be sending seven all-party delegations. These delegations carry not just briefings, but a message - a united political front against terrorism, regardless of party lines. This isn't unfamiliar territory for Ahluwalia as he has been actively involved in parliamentary diplomacy. After the 2001 Parliament attack, India undertook a similar exercise, with the Atal Bihari Vajpayee-led administration sending multi-party delegations abroad to garner support against terrorism. Ahluwalia was part of the PA Sangma-led delegation to Brussels, seeking the EU's support. "...The decisions taken by Atal Bihari Vajpayee then, and by Narendra Modi now, stem from the same core belief: that protecting India must remain the highest priority, no matter the cost," he said. Commenting on the inclusion of members from multiple political parties and the friction it might cause, Ahluwalia said, "This is a matter of national interest, not of any political party. Every patriotic citizen should think beyond party lines and narrow ideologies...." This comes after a row erupted over inclusion of MP Shashi Tharoor as one of the delegation leaders after the Congress revealed it did not put forward his name for consideration to the government....