India is set to dispatch seven all-party delegations to key partner nations, including members of the United Nations Security Council, later this month as part of its intensified diplomatic outreach in the wake of Operation Sindoor. The move is aimed at reinforcing India’s stance on cross-border terrorism, particularly in the context of recent hostilities with Pakistan.
The seven-member delegations will be led by prominent parliamentarians, including Congress leader Shashi Tharoor, BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad, JDU leader Sanjay Kumar Jha, BJP leader Baijayant Panda, DMK leader Kanimozhi Karunanidhi, NCP (SP) leader Supriya Sule, and Shiv Sena leader Shrikant Eknath Shinde.
Announcing the initiative, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju said, “In moments that matter most, Bharat stands united. Seven all-party delegations will soon visit key partner nations, carrying our shared message of zero tolerance to terrorism. A powerful reflection of national unity above politics, beyond differences.”
The delegations will highlight India’s national consensus on countering terrorism and underscore its resolute stance against terror in all its forms and manifestations.
Also read: Cong leadership entitled to its opinion : Shashi Tharoor
The parliamentary groups are expected to visit several major capitals, including Washington, London, Abu Dhabi, Johannesburg, and Tokyo, during the 10-day tour commencing on May 23.
Meanwhile, asserting that the Congress is “not going to change” the names of four MPs for the government’s proposed delegations to foreign countries to explain India’s stance on terrorism emanating from Pakistan, Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh on Saturday said that this is “dishonest on the government’s part.”
This comes after the government named Congress leader Shashi Tharoor in the list of 7 MPs who would represent India at world forums, where they would brief world leaders on Operation Sindoor.
“We were asked for names. We expected that the names we had given would be included. We hoped that the names given by the party would be included. But when we saw the press release of PIB, we were surprised. I cannot say what will happen now. Asking four names, giving four names, and announcing another name is dishonest on the government’s part. It is possible that’ Mr Rijiju had talked to Rahul ji and Kharge even after the government had made up their mind, but I am giving him the benefit of the doubt. But what happened is dishonest. We are not going to change these four names,” Jairam Ramesh said.
Earlier today, Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh said that the Indian National Congress (INC) has submitted names of four MPs for the government’s proposed delegations to foreign countries to explain India’s stance on terrorism emanating from Pakistan.
Curiously, the name of Thiruvananthapuram MP Shashi Tharoor was missing from the list that Jairam Ramesh says the Congress submitted to the Parliamentary Affairs Minister.
On the other hand, Tharoor, however, downplayed the controversy over his snub from the Congress's list for diplomatic outreach, saying it had nothing to do with "party politics" and sought to project national unity.
"Certainly, when the nation needs my services, I am available and I'm available for my country. To my mind, this has nothing to do with party politics...," the Thiruvananthapuram MP told the media.
Speaking about his key role, Tharoor said, "My party leadership is entitled to its opinion of my abilities or lack thereof, and I think that is really for them to explain. I have absolutely no comment to make on that. I am honoured to have been entrusted with the responsibility, and I will fulfil that responsibility just as I have fulfilled every responsibility entrusted to me in my rather long working life, whether at the UN or in the Congress."
According to party sources, Tharoor's recent statements on airstrikes in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (POK) as 'calibrated' and "very, very calculated" did not sit well with sections of the Congress leadership.
Tharoor earlier had clarified that his statements were made in a personal capacity, and people are entirely free to reject his point of view.
Follow us
