Bharat Summit 2025 inaugural events cancelled in Hyderabad amid Kashmir terror attack

HYDERABAD: The Indian National Congress has decided to cancel the inaugural celebrations of the Bharat Summit 2025, scheduled to be held in Hyderabad, in response to the recent terror attack in Kashmir that has plunged the nation into mourning. AICC general secretary Gurupal Safal announced the decision on Thursday during a media interaction at HICC Novotel Hotel.

Safal said that while the Congress had initially planned to showcase Telangana’s cultural richness at the Bharat Summit, the party considered it inappropriate to hold celebrations at a time of national grief. A special meeting of the Congress Working Committee (CWC) was convened in Delhi, attended by party president Mallikarjun Kharge, Sonia Gandhi, and other senior leaders. “It was unanimously decided that this is not a moment for celebration,” he said.

He stated that the entire country must now focus on countering terrorism, and announced that the summit will issue a declaration against terrorism. Safal asserted that the Congress party has always taken a firm stance against terrorism, recalling that terrorism was defeated during Congress regimes in Punjab and Assam, and brought under control in Kashmir and other northern states.

He emphasised that Congress would never compromise when it comes to national security and terrorism. As part of the summit, he added, a special exhibition will also be organised to reflect on these themes.

The Bharat Summit 2025, which has been envisioned as a key initiative by Rahul Gandhi, aims to bring together political parties from across the world on a common platform. More than 450 delegates from over 100 countries are expected to attend the summit. Among them are 25 to 30 ministers, 15 political party presidents, and around 50 MPs, senators, and investors, Safal revealed.