KKN Gurugram Desk | The Trinamool Congress (TMC), led by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, has officially opted out of the central government’s all-party foreign delegation formed to raise awareness about Operation Sindoor and Pakistan-sponsored terrorism. This decision includes withdrawing former cricketer and TMC MP Yusuf Pathan, whose name had earlier been listed as part of the mission.

The Centre had announced that the multi-party team would travel to 32 countries, including Brussels, to brief global institutions and governments about India’s zero-tolerance stance on terrorism, and to provide international context to the recent counterterror operations in response to the Pahalgam terrorist attack.

 What Is Operation Sindoor?

‘Operation Sindoor’ was India’s strategic military response to the April 2025 Pahalgam terror attack, conducted against militant hideouts with precision strikes. The mission was notable for its transparency, with Indian female officers briefing the global media — a move widely applauded both domestically and internationally.

The government is now taking the message global, organizing diplomatic teams to highlight Pakistan’s involvement in terror financing and cross-border militancy.

 Centre’s Global Delegation Plan: Who’s Going Where?

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), in collaboration with the Ministry of Defence, has curated seven all-party delegations, each headed by prominent leaders, to visit key nations across Europe, North America, Asia, and the Middle East.

Notable Names in the Delegation:

• Ravi Shankar Prasad (BJP)

• Baijayant Jay Panda (BJP)

• Shashi Tharoor (Congress)

• Kanimozhi (DMK)

• Sanjay Kumar (JDU)

• Supriya Sule (NCP-SP)

• Shrikant Shinde (Shiv Sena)

A total of 51 political leaders will represent India, and their brief includes meetings with United Nations Security Council (UNSC) member states and the European Union headquarters in Brussels.

TMC Opts Out, Pulls Yusuf Pathan from List

Despite being invited to participate, TMC has refused to send any of its representatives. According to sources, Yusuf Pathan, former Indian cricketer and sitting Rajya Sabha MP, had been listed in the initial delegation plan but was later withdrawn following internal party deliberation.

While TMC hasn’t issued a detailed public explanation, a senior party leader confirmed that the Centre has been notified of the withdrawal. The decision reflects the party’s strategic distancing from centrally led foreign policy narratives.

“Foreign policy falls under the jurisdiction of the Union Government. Therefore, the Government of India should assume full responsibility for international messaging on such sensitive matters,” said a senior TMC functionary.

 TMC’s Statement: ‘Nation Comes First, But Centre Must Lead’

The TMC emphasized that while it continues to support India’s armed forces and respects their valor, the party believes that foreign policy and international engagement must remain under central leadership, without party-level involvement.

“We support India’s sovereignty and salute the Armed Forces. But we believe it’s the Centre’s role to lead foreign policy narratives,” the TMC statement added.

Despite not joining the mission, TMC asserted its commitment to national security and reaffirmed its support for anti-terror operations.

Why the Delegation Matters: Global Narrative Building

The Indian government’s decision to send parliamentary teams abroad aims to counter Pakistan’s disinformation campaigns, particularly in forums like:

• United Nations

• European Parliament

• Global media circles

• Think tanks and academic institutions

By including leaders across party lines, the Centre seeks to send a unified message to the global community that terrorism targeting India will face a firm, non-negotiable response.

 Inclusion of Former Ministers and Retired Lawmakers

In addition to sitting MPs, several former ministers and notable political figures have also been inducted:

• Ghulam Nabi Azad

• MJ Akbar

• Anand Sharma

• V. Muraleedharan

• Salman Khurshid

• SS Ahluwalia

Though no longer serving in Parliament, their diplomatic experience and international networks make them valuable for the mission’s objectives.

 Opposition Divided on Participation

While Congress has nominated leaders like Shashi Tharoor, other opposition parties have chosen a more cautious approach. TMC’s decision to opt out may prompt others like Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) or Left Front to also reconsider participation.

Political analysts see this as an ideological balancing act — showing commitment to national causes without endorsing the Centre’s political framing.

What’s Next: Delegations Begin Travel This Week

According to the Ministry of External Affairs, the first teams will depart by the last week of May, with scheduled visits to:

• United States

• Germany

• France

• UK

• Saudi Arabia

• Japan

• Russia

• Brussels (EU HQ)

Meetings are scheduled with ambassadors, defense attaches, international media, and diaspora communities to present India’s official position on terrorism and cross-border hostilities.

Public Reactions: Divided but Engaged

On social media, the decision to send an all-party delegation abroad has received mixed reactions:

• Supporters hail it as a strong diplomatic outreach

• Critics question the use of political leaders over diplomats

• TMC’s stance has sparked debate over federal cooperation in foreign policy matters

Background: Why Global Outreach Matters Now

Following the Pahalgam terror attack and India’s surgical response via Operation Sindoor, several international observers had called for more transparency and global engagement.

Pakistan, meanwhile, has been running counter-campaigns alleging human rights violations — a narrative New Delhi aims to dismantle through direct diplomatic efforts.

As India prepares to take its anti-terrorism message to the world, TMC’s refusal to join adds a complex layer to the diplomatic initiative. While the central government frames the outreach as non-partisan, opposition skepticism reflects deeper questions around federal participation in foreign affairs.

Whether this move successfully shapes global opinion remains to be seen — but one thing is clear: Operation Sindoor has shifted the battlefield from borders to global boardrooms.