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The Overseas Friends of Bharatiya Janata Party is a global network of NRI volunteers and supporters who promote the policies, ideology, and leadership of the BJP internationally
Established in 1991, OF-BJP operates under the BJP’s foreign affairs department and has branches in over 40 countries. (News18)
In the aftermath of the India-Pakistan conflict, which began in the first week of May and ended with a ceasefire request from Pakistan’s Director-General of Military Operations (DGMO), India dispatched seven multi-party delegations to 33 nations. Their objective was to highlight Pakistan’s role in cross-border terrorism, increase global pressure on Islamabad, and bolster support for New Delhi. Beyond the media’s focus on these official delegations, the ruling BJP quietly activated various international chapters of the Overseas Friends of BJP (OF-BJP), which is often perceived as its foreign advocacy arm, to engage with the Indian diaspora.
By the end of May, the United States chapter of OF-BJP had held a ‘Baithak’ (meeting) with the BJP’s former general secretary, Muralidhar Rao, in Herndon, Virginia. The meeting aimed to “connect, converse, and celebrate the spirit of nationalism”. A few days later, the OF-BJP held another outreach event in New Jersey, an area with a significant Indian-origin population. Sources suggest that India’s response to Pakistan in the recent armed conflict between the two nuclear nations was the central theme of discussion at both events.
Just days before Rao’s US outreach, thousands of kilometres away in Australia, another BJP leader, Rajya Sabha member and national president of the party’s OBC Morcha, Dr K Laxman, addressed a similar OF-BJP event in Melbourne. The event’s agenda was ‘Viksit Bharat’ (Developed India), according to Laxman. “The role every OF-BJP karyakarta (worker) plays as a Rashtradoot (ambassador) of India’s progress, culture, and global aspirations. I urged everyone to continue strengthening people-to-people ties, counter misinformation…,” stated Laxman.
The event coincided with a period of heightened misinformation campaigns against India, primarily originating from Pakistan. Numerous Turkish social media accounts amplified Pakistan’s narrative, prompting India’s Press Information Bureau (PIB) to debunk various false claims regarding the conflict.
At such a crucial juncture, Laxman’s message to OF-BJP members in Australia was of significance. News18 has learnt that Dr Vijay Chauthaiwala, head of the BJP’s foreign affairs department, was also present at the Melbourne event.
In June, Union minister Arjun Ram Meghwal visited the United Kingdom and participated in a community event organised by the OF-BJP’s UK chapter in Hayes, London.
Meanwhile, Dr Chauthaiwala recently concluded a two-day convention of the OF-BJP’s US chapter, inaugurated by BJP national president JP Nadda via video message. In his address, Nadda emphasised Pakistan-sponsored terrorism and the OF-BJP’s role in countering Pakistan’s narrative in the US.
“Over the years, Overseas Friends of BJP-USA has played a vital role in uniting the Indian community and strengthening strategic and cultural bonds between India and the United States,” Nadda remarked to applause from the attendees. He also highlighted Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “deep respect” and “affection” for the Indian diaspora.
Chauthaiwala reported over 150 volunteers from 25 US states participated in the two-day event. “I elaborated on how New India emerged after Operation Sindoor,” he added. The event began with condolences for the victims of the recent Air India accident in Ahmedabad and the Pahalgam terror attack that triggered the India-Pakistan conflict.
The Overseas Friends of Bharatiya Janata Party (OFBJP) is a global network of non-resident Indian (NRI) volunteers and supporters who promote the policies, ideology, and leadership of the BJP internationally. Established in 1991, it operates under the BJP’s foreign affairs department and has branches in over 40 countries, including the USA, UK, Canada, Australia, the Netherlands, Norway, and France. The organisation aims to project a positive image of India and the BJP abroad, counter perceived distortions, and foster stronger ties between India and the Indian diaspora.
Anindya Banerjee, Associate Editor brings over fifteen years of journalistic courage to the forefront. With a keen focus on politics and policy, Anindya has garnered a wealth of experience, with deep throat in …Read More
Anindya Banerjee, Associate Editor brings over fifteen years of journalistic courage to the forefront. With a keen focus on politics and policy, Anindya has garnered a wealth of experience, with deep throat in … Read More
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