TMC Declines Participation in Global Delegation Against Cross-Border Terror, Reaffirms Support for National Interests
The Trinamool Congress (TMC) has firmly declined the BJP-led Centre’s move to include one of its MPs in a global outreach mission aimed at countering Pakistan’s narrative following Operation Sindoor.
The initiative, which involves sending seven all-party delegations abroad, is part of India’s diplomatic response to Pakistan-backed terrorism.
The TMC leadership has reportedly communicated to the Union government that none of its MPs, including first-time Lok Sabha member and former cricketer Yusuf Pathan, will be part of the international delegations being dispatched to present India’s united stance on terrorism.
West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee clarified that her party was never officially consulted. “They cannot unilaterally choose members.
If the government makes a formal request, it is for the party to decide. That is the established process. We fully support the Central government on foreign policy issues,” she said.
The Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs recently unveiled the composition of the seven delegations, which include prominent parliamentarians such as Congress MP Shashi Tharoor and Shiv Sena (UBT)’s Priyanka Chaturvedi.
TMC General Secretary and MP Abhishek Banerjee emphasised that while the party stands united with the government on matters of national interest and counterterrorism, decisions on representation must rest with the party leadership.
“We support the Centre’s efforts to combat terrorism and defend the country’s sovereignty. But the TMC will decide who represents us—such decisions cannot be imposed unilaterally,” he told PTI.
Echoing the sentiment, TMC’s Deputy Leader in the Rajya Sabha, Sagarika Ghose, reaffirmed that foreign policy is constitutionally the prerogative of the Union government.
“The TMC stands in absolute solidarity with our armed forces. Our commitment to national unity and security is unwavering. But the government must take full responsibility for foreign affairs,” she said.
Amid speculation about TMC’s involvement, senior party leaders reiterated that while they support India’s fight against terrorism, any role in foreign missions must be decided internally.
One senior leader stated, “The nation comes first. We support every action the Union government takes to protect our people. But foreign policy decisions are the Centre’s responsibility, and we expect it to act accordingly.”
Meanwhile, TMC MP Sudip Bandyopadhyay confirmed he will not be part of the mission due to health concerns. “I was approached by the Parliamentary Affairs and External Affairs Ministries to join the delegation to the US, but I informed them of my inability to travel due to health reasons,” he told PTI.
The Centre’s diplomatic initiative involves sending 51 political figures—including 31 from the ruling NDA and 20 from opposition parties—to over 30 countries, including the US, UK, Saudi Arabia, Japan, and Russia.
The teams are carefully curated to include a mix of senior politicians and former diplomats, with at least one Muslim representative in each.
Prominent leaders heading the delegations include BJP’s Ravi Shankar Prasad and Baijayant Panda, Congress’ Shashi Tharoor, JD(U)’s Sanjay Kumar Jha, DMK’s Kanimozhi, NCP-SP’s Supriya Sule, and Shiv Sena’s Shrikant Shinde.
Despite some friction over representation, the Congress has agreed to participate. While only one of its proposed names—Anand Sharma—was accepted, the party confirmed its members would fully support the initiative. However, Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh criticised the government for excluding senior Congress leaders, calling it “petty political manoeuvring.”
Other high-profile names in the delegation include veteran politicians and diplomats like Ghulam Nabi Azad, M.J. Akbar, V Muraleedharan, and Syed Akbaruddin.
Summarising the mission on X (formerly Twitter), Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju posted: “One mission. One message. One Bharat. Seven All-Party Delegations will soon engage key nations under #OperationSindoor, reflecting our collective resolve against terrorism.”
