Yusuf Pathan Snubs 'Operation Sindoor' Foreign Outreach Delegation; TMC Slams BJP For Lack Of Consultation

Trinamool Congress MP Yusuf Pathan, who had been named by the government as part of an all-party parliamentary delegation for the 'Operation Sindoor' foreign outreach, will not be taking part in the initiative, according to an India Today report.

Party insiders claim the government added his name without consulting the Trinamool Congress, although they did approach the MP directly.

Photo Credit: PTI

The former cricketer-turned-politician has reportedly conveyed his unavailability to join the delegation.

Sources further stated that Mamata Banerjee's party also based its decision on the principle that foreign policy falls squarely within the jurisdiction of the central government, which should assume complete responsibility for it.

"We believe that the nation comes first, and we have pledged our support to the Union government in taking any steps necessary to defend our great country. Our armed forces have made us proud, and we are forever grateful to them. Foreign policy lies entirely within the Union government's remit, and therefore, it should be the one to determine and manage it independently," a Trinamool leader told the news agency PTI.

A total of 51 political leaders, MPs, and former ministers from across the political spectrum have been listed as part of seven delegations visiting various global capitals to communicate India's firm stance against terrorism in the wake of Operation Sindoor.

Pathan had been placed in the group led by JDU MP Sanjay Kumar Jha, which is set to visit Indonesia, Malaysia, South Korea, Japan, and Singapore.

Other members of the delegation include BJP's Aparajita Sarangi, Brij Lal, Pradan Baruah, and Hemang Joshi; CPI(M)'s John Brittas; Congress leader Salman Khurshid; and former journalist Mohan Kumar.

Another Trinamool MP, Sudip Bandyopadhyay, previously stated that he too had been invited to take part in the initiative but declined due to health concerns.

(With PTI inputs)