Senior Congress leader Salman Khurshid, who was part of the recent all-party parliamentary delegation that undertook a diplomatic tour abroad, has provided a detailed account of the delegation’s debriefing meeting with External Affairs Minister (EAM) Dr S Jaishankar. Speaking about the interaction, Khurshid said the Minister was already well-informed about the delegation’s engagements during their foreign visits, thanks to prior briefings provided to him by Indian ambassadors stationed in those countries.
Khurshid highlighted that Jaishankar was aware of the key aspects of the visit — including who the delegation met, the levels at which the meetings were held, and the core issues discussed. “He already knew where we went, whom we met, and what we discussed. The ambassadors had briefed him thoroughly,” Khurshid said. In addition to these formal debriefings, the meeting with the EAM also included general conversations on various concerns and issues that members of the delegation believed should be brought to the government's attention.
One significant concern raised during the discussion was the lack of reciprocal friendship associations abroad. Khurshid pointed out that in many countries, associations promoting friendship with India exist, but they function largely in a one-sided manner. “In many places, the friendship associations exist, but they are theirs,” he said, implying that the initiative comes primarily from the host countries. “From our side, Indian parliamentarians have not been able to take those steps yet.”
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In response, the External Affairs Minister acknowledged the concern and assured the delegation that the matter would be studied further. Khurshid said that the minister had requested the delegation members to share specific context and detailed inputs about their visits and the issues discussed abroad, so that the ministry could take note and follow up as necessary. “Messages from every country we visited have already been received by our government,” he added.
Turning to recent developments on the domestic front, Khurshid commented on the government’s response to the tragic terror attack in Pahalgam. He said that both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and EAM Jaishankar had received official condolences and messages from various foreign governments following the incident. “The Foreign Minister, who is firmly against terrorism, acknowledged those international messages. He also reiterated the steps that needed to be taken in response to the incident. Condolences were reiterated and all aspects were clarified to avoid any ambiguity or unanswered questions,” he said.
Khurshid further noted that a full compilation of the delegation’s feedback from the diplomatic tour was being prepared for presentation to the Prime Minister. “A meeting is to be held to review what we have shared. Whether or not it will take place directly with the Prime Minister is not confirmed, but I think it will. Everything we discussed will be reviewed and then formally presented,” he explained.
When asked whether any concrete action could be expected from the government based on the delegation’s input, Khurshid expressed cautious optimism. “If the government, after reviewing our suggestions, feels that action is necessary, then I believe it will act accordingly,” he said.
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He also underlined the dual purpose of the delegation’s mission. “The main objective was to represent India’s position on key global issues, particularly on terrorism. But there was also a political dimension — we aimed to speak with one voice, cutting across party lines, in a unified stand against terrorism,” Khurshid said. He clarified that his participation was not voluntary in the individual sense, but rather a decision by the Congress party, which nominated him to be part of the team. “We did not go of our own volition. The party felt it was important for all parties to come together and present a united message on the global stage.”
Khurshid emphasised the diverse and representative nature of the delegation. “It wasn’t just Congress. There were representatives from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and other political parties as well. Collectively, we conveyed a common message abroad,” he said.
Reflecting on the broader context of the delegation’s role, Khurshid also commented on India’s democratic framework. “In a democracy like ours, different parties have distinct rights and responsibilities. The Congress party continues to play its role as the principal opposition,” he stated.
The all-party delegation’s diplomatic initiative was aimed at reinforcing India’s global narrative on terrorism, while also strengthening bilateral and multilateral ties through parliamentary diplomacy. The effort was seen as an important exercise in demonstrating national unity on key security issues and expanding India’s outreach on the world stage.
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