Justice, peace take center stage as Bharat Summit concludes amid Pahalgam fallout

The Bharat Summit 2025 concluded in Hyderabad with participation from over 450 foreign delegates representing nearly 100 countries, alongside Congress leaders and elected representatives. The event focused on key global issues such as gender justice, youth politics, climate change, and Telangana’s development. However, the terror attack in Pahalgam overshadowed much of the proceedings.

The summit was held under high alert following the terror attack in Pahalgam. The Union Home Ministry issued advisories to states, and security was significantly tightened at the Hyderabad International Convention Centre (HICC), the summit venue. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who was scheduled to attend the opening session, travelled to Pahalgam to meet the families of the victims, missing the start of the event, a TOI report stated.

Due to security concerns, the Congress-led Telangana government scaled down the opening day. Senior leaders, including AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge and chief minister A Revanth Reddy, skipped the event. Deputy chief minister Bhatti Vikramarka addressed the press along with senior leader Salman Khurshid and state ministers.


Congress reaffirms values of peace and justice
Speaking to media, Bhatti Vikramarka said the summit aimed to reflect the Congress party’s commitment to social justice and inclusive governance.

“This is about reasserting Congress values—non-violence, truth, and social justice—as guiding principles for global peace,” Bhatti said.

He also encouraged delegates to consider Telangana as an investment destination.

“The Bharat Summit is being held based on the basic principles of the Congress party, and in this summit, peace lovers, those who seek global justice, and those with progressive ideas participated in discussions,” he said.
“We explained to the world representatives how the Congress party's core principles are being taken forward by combining social justice and development.”

Rahul Gandhi later joined the summit for the closing session, during which the ‘Hyderabad Declaration’ was presented.

Solidarity event and map controversy
A candlelight rally from People’s Plaza to the Indira Gandhi statue was held during the summit in solidarity with the Pahalgam victims. Delegates were invited to join the march voluntarily.

However, the summit also drew criticism after a map displayed during the event reportedly left out Pakistan-occupied Jammu & Kashmir (PoJK) and Ladakh. BJP leaders condemned the incident, alleging that it compromised national integrity.

A BJP post on X called the display “anti-national behaviour” and accused Congress of “crossing every red line” by using public funds for the summit where the map was shown.