Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut has strongly criticized the government's decision to send all-party delegations to various countries to explain India's stance on terrorism in the wake of Operation Sindoor. Raut believes that the INDIA bloc should have boycotted these delegations, arguing that they are nothing more than a "baraat" (groom's wedding procession) and a means for the ruling BJP to politicize the issue.

Raut questioned the necessity of sending parliamentarians abroad to brief other countries about Operation Sindoor and India's military actions against Pakistan. He suggested that the Prime Minister is weak and that there was no need to rush into such a diplomatic outreach. He further criticized the inclusion of Shrikant Shinde, son of the Maharashtra Chief Minister, in one of the delegations, questioning what Shinde could represent on such a sensitive matter.

The government's decision involves sending seven delegations, comprising 51 political leaders, parliamentarians, and former ministers from across party lines, to various world capitals. The aim is to present India's firm resolve to tackle terrorism, particularly in the context of Operation Sindoor. Prominent members of these delegations include Congress's Shashi Tharoor, AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi, NCP (SP) leader Supriya Sule, and DMK's Kanimozhi. Even Priyanka Chaturvedi, a member of Raut's own party, is part of one of the delegations.

Raut's criticism extends to the composition of the delegations, alleging that the BJP has politicized the process. He pointed out that 31 of the 51 members belong to the ruling NDA, while only 20 are from non-NDA parties. He also questioned whether key opposition parties like Sena (UBT), TMC, and RJD were consulted before forming the delegations, asking on what basis it could be claimed that an all-party delegation was being sent.

Raut argued that India already has ambassadors in these countries who are perfectly capable of representing India's interests. He claimed that the INDIA bloc parties are falling into a trap laid by the government and that they will end up defending the "sins and crimes" of the government, rather than the country. He suggested that the delegations are a waste of public funds and that the exercise is turning into a "tourism program."

Despite Raut's strong opposition, his party colleague Priyanka Chaturvedi is participating in the delegation led by BJP MP Ravi Shankar Prasad, which is scheduled to visit the UK, France, Germany, the EU, Italy, and Denmark. This highlights the differences of opinion within the INDIA bloc regarding the government's diplomatic initiative.

Raut's remarks also suggest that the parties within the INDIA alliance were not in complete agreement on this issue. He expressed his belief that the INDIA bloc should have boycotted the delegations to send a strong message to the government.