Key Points
- Lawmaker Yusuf Pathan will not be attending the all-party delegation
- His party leader Sudip Bandyopadhyay has already declined participation
- Delegation will also visit UNC member countries
ISLAMABAD: The All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) party has reportedly declined to join a delegation set to be dispatched to foreign countries to garner support for India following India’s attack on Pakistan in the wake of Pahalgam incident.
Soon after a ceasefire that pulled India and Pakistan back from the brink of a full-fledged war following days of rapidly escalating military tensions, a battle of narratives has broken out.
The visit is seen as India’s attempt to justify its attack on Pakistan following the Pahalgam incident.
A senior party leader stated on Sunday that foreign policy falls within the purview of the union government, which should bear complete accountability for such matters.
Not attending
He claimed that their chosen MP Yusuf Pathan will not be attending the all-party delegation on the issue.
According to the Times of India, seven all-party delegations will also visit UN Security Council members, apart from partner nations.
Whilst TMC leader Sudip Bandyopadhyay declined participation citing health concerns, TMC MP Yusuf Pathan, whose name appeared on the list, will also not attend, according to PTI.
Delegations
The delegations include seven or eight political leaders each, supported by former diplomats. Among the 51 political leaders, 31 represent the ruling NDA coalition, whilst 20 are from non-NDA parties.
The TMC leader told PTI, “Foreign policy is entirely within the domain of the union government. Therefore, let only the Union government decide our foreign policy and take complete responsibility for it.”
