The Indian parliamentary delegation led by DMK Member of Parliament and Deputy General Secretary Kanimozhi Karunanidhi experienced a tense delay on Thursday, May 22, after their flight to Moscow was caught in mid-air disruptions caused by a reported Ukrainian drone attack near the Russian capital.
The plane, carrying the all-party delegation, was unable to land at Moscow airport for several hours due to a temporary airspace shutdown. Both domestic and international flights were suspended amid the heightened security threat. The aircraft was forced to circle in the sky until the situation was deemed safe by Russian authorities.
Eventually, the flight landed without incident. Indian Embassy officials in Russia received the delegation at the airport and ensured their safe transfer to their hotel.
The delegation is scheduled to hold consultations with Russia’s Foreign Minister and other officials in Moscow.
Following the ceasefire on the military standoff between India and Pakistan, the Indian government showed a rare bipartisan consensus and formed seven delegations led by MPs from various parties. These delegations will brief India’s partner countries and members of the UN concerning national security and terrorism. They have been tasked with explaining the rationale behind India’s counter-terrorism operations and building international support on the issue.