FirstUp: Operation Sindoor global delegation departs from India and other big headlines

It’s a big day in the world of news.

In India, one of the all-party delegations will head out today to expose Pakistan’s sponsored terrorism across the world. Today will also be the day when United States President Donald Trump will host his South African counterpart, Cyril Ramaphosa, at the White House. The two leaders will attempt to “reset” the relationship between the two countries, which many experts say has become the frostiest in decades.

Also, in India, the Supreme Court is likely to hear a petition filed by Ashoka University professor Ali Khan Mahmudabad against his arrest over a Facebook post over Operation Sindoor.

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Here’s what to expect from the day.

Shrikant Shinde-led delegation to depart with anti-terror message

India’s delegation led by Shiv Sena MP Shrikant Eknath Shinde will leave on May 21 and will expose Pakistan’s sponsored terrorism across the world.

“Our delegation is led by Shrikant Shinde…we will leave on 21st May night, we will be back by 3rd or 4th June… The way Pakistan has become a terror hub and has exported terrorism to India and the issues we have faced because of terrorism. We will present these issues on the global platform… We will also present the reason because of which we had to conduct Operation Sindoor,” said Sasmit Patra, a BJD leader.

The multi-party delegations, consisting of seven groups led by one MP each, has been initiated to counter global misinformation and highlight India’s zero-tolerance policy on terrorism. The delegation, led by Shiv Sena MP Shrikant Eknath Shinde, will be visiting the United Arab Emirates, Liberia, Congo, and Sierra Leone. BJP’s Bansuri Swaraj, Atul Garg, Manan Kumar Mishra, along with opposition members including Indian Union Muslim League MP Mohammed Basheer, BJD’s Sasmit Patra, and Sujan Chinoy.

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Trump to host South Africa’s Ramaphosa at White House

US President Donald Trump will meet with his South African counterpart Cyril Ramaphosa today at a time of strained ties between the two countries. “On Wednesday, May 21, 2025, President Ramaphosa will meet with President Donald Trump at the White House in Washington DC to discuss bilateral, regional and global issues of interest,” Ramaphosa’s office said.

Tensions have been rising for months over a range of policy issues, including the United States resettling a first group of white Afrikaners that Trump claims are facing “persecution” in South Africa.

The visit “provides a platform to reset the strategic relationship between the two countries”, said the South African president’s office.

Ramaphosa is expected to try to convince Trump that the United States has a lot to gain from maintaining close ties with South Africa, the largest economy in Africa. The South African president will also try to reset his relationship with Elon Musk, who was born in South Africa and is perhaps the leader’s loudest critic.

India’s Supreme Court may hear professor Ali Mahmudabad’s plea

The Supreme Court in India is likely to hear a petition filed by Ashoka University professor Ali Khan Mahmudabad against his arrest over controversial social media posts about Operation Sindoor’s media briefing.

The move comes after Mahmudabad was arrested on Sunday for his remarks on social media about India’s ‘Operation Sindoor’ against terror groups based in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

The arrest was based on a complaint filed by Yogesh Jatheri, the general secretary of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Yuva Morcha in Haryana.

Meanwhile, Ashoka University has assured to cooperate with the police. “We have been made aware that Prof Ali Khan Mahmudabad has been taken into police custody earlier today. We are in the process of ascertaining details of the case. The University will continue to cooperate with the Police and local authorities in the investigation, fully,” news agency ANI reported citing the university’s statement.