Amid a developing row over the composition of India's multi-party delegations for the "Operation Sindoor" outreach, the central government has reached out to the Trinamool Congress (TMC). TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee is now expected to join the delegation. This development follows initial disagreement regarding the selection process for party representatives in these crucial diplomatic missions.
Operation Sindoor, launched on May 7th in response to a deadly terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, aims to convey India's firm stance of zero-tolerance towards terrorism. The government is dispatching all-party delegations to various countries to highlight details of the operation and garner international support against terrorism.
Initially, controversy arose when TMC MP Yusuf Pathan's name was announced as part of a delegation without prior consultation with the TMC leadership. This led to Pathan opting out of the delegation. TMC leaders, including Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee, asserted that while they support the Centre's efforts to combat terrorism, the selection of party representatives for such delegations should be the prerogative of the party itself, not a unilateral decision by the central government.
Mamata Banerjee clarified that TMC was not boycotting the anti-terrorism diplomatic mission, but awaited a formal request from the Centre, emphasizing the party's right to choose its delegate. She stated that while TMC supports the Centre on external affairs issues and actions, the party should be consulted on the selection of its representatives. Abhishek Banerjee echoed this sentiment, stating that while TMC stands with the Centre in combating terrorism, the Union government cannot unilaterally select party representatives. He also suggested that families of terror victims or officers involved in Operation Sindoor would be powerful voices to send as ambassadors, rather than solely relying on parliamentarians.
Following the controversy, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju reportedly called Mamata Banerjee to seek her suggestion for a TMC representative. Subsequently, the TMC nominated Abhishek Banerjee, the party's National General Secretary, to represent the party in the all-party delegation.
The TMC officially announced Abhishek Banerjee's inclusion, stating that his presence would reflect Bengal's firm stand against terror and strengthen India's collective voice on the global stage. The party conveyed this decision via social media, expressing delight that Mamata Banerjee had nominated Abhishek Banerjee for India's global outreach against terrorism.
Abhishek Banerjee's inclusion is seen as a positive step towards ensuring a united front in India's diplomatic efforts against terrorism. The diplomatic mission consists of seven groups, each led by MPs from various political parties, tasked with engaging with international partners, countering misinformation, and projecting a unified stance on terrorism.
The delegations are scheduled to visit 32 countries and the EU headquarters in Brussels, Belgium. The initiative aims to engage with key partner countries, including members of the UN Security Council, to convey India's resolve to tackle terrorism in the aftermath of Operation Sindoor.
