The Trinamool Congress (TMC) has made it clear that no Member of Parliament from the party will participate in the Indian government’s multi-party delegation to over 30 countries aimed at countering global misinformation and showcasing India’s zero-tolerance stance on terrorism.
Before departing for her North Bengal visit on Monday, TMC chairperson Mamata Banerjee categorically maintained that her party 'would not be part' of the Centre’s multi-party delegation visiting over 30 countries.
“We are fully willing to cooperate with the Indian government on matters of external affairs. However, it is not for others to decide who will represent the TMC. That choice should rest with us. Since that wasn't respected, no one from our party will be part of the delegation,” Mamata said at Dum Dum airport.
Earlier, it was reported that Yusuf Pathan, TMC MP from Baharampur, might be part of the delegations, but the party has now clarified that neither Pathan nor any other TMC leader will join the initiative.
The multi-party delegation, comprising seven groups each led by a Member of Parliament, aims to present India’s perspective on cross-border terrorism, especially following the Pahalgam terror attack on 22 April, which claimed 26 lives.
In response to the attack, India launched Operation Sindoor on 7 May, targeting terror bases in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK).
The operation reportedly eliminated over 100 terrorists affiliated with Jaish-e-Mohammed, Lashkar-e-Taiba, and Hizbul Mujahideen, and carried out coordinated airstrikes on 11 Pakistani airbases, causing significant damage to their military infrastructure.
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“We believe that the nation is above all, and we pledged our support to the Union government to take whatever action was needed to protect our great country. Our Armed Forces have made our nation proud, and we are forever indebted to them. Foreign policy is entirely within the domain of the Union government. Therefore, let only the Union government decide our foreign policy and take complete responsibility for it,” TMC sources said.
The global outreach mission, operating under the banner of “One Mission, One Message, One Bharat,” seeks to consolidate India’s narrative on terrorism in key international forums.
The seven delegations are set to visit over 30 countries, including Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Algeria, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, the European Union, Italy, Denmark, Indonesia, Malaysia, South Korea, Japan, Singapore, the United Arab Emirates, Liberia, Congo, Sierra Leone, the United States, Panama, Guyana, Brazil, Colombia, Spain, Greece, Slovenia, Latvia, Russia, Egypt, Qatar, Ethiopia, and South Africa.
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