TMC Nominates Abhishek Banerjee for Operation Sindoor Foreign Delegation

 In a significant political development, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) on Tuesday nominated Member of Parliament Abhishek Banerjee as its official representative in the central government’s overseas delegation formed to communicate India’s position on Operation Sindoor.

The nomination followed a call from Union Minister Kiren Rijiju to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, during which the Centre sought the state’s suggestion for a suitable delegate. In response, Chief Minister Banerjee proposed the name of Abhishek Banerjee, reinforcing the TMC’s engagement with national priorities while asserting its prerogative in choosing its emissary.

Confirming the decision, the TMC issued a statement via social media platform X, clarifying that the party is not boycotting the Centre’s diplomatic outreach. Instead, the party emphasized the importance of participating on its own terms by selecting a representative who reflects its position and commitment.

The decision came a day after TMC MP Yusuf Pathan, initially named by the Centre, opted out of the international tour. Party sources reiterated that TMC’s decision was not one of withdrawal but a reaffirmation of its autonomy in such matters.

Earlier, Sudip Bandyopadhyay, leader of the TMC’s parliamentary party in the Lok Sabha, was also approached for the mission but declined citing health concerns.

Speaking to the media at Kolkata airport, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee reaffirmed the party’s support for the Centre’s diplomatic efforts to counter Pakistan-sponsored terrorism. “We are not boycotting the initiative. We are willing to participate and contribute meaningfully once a formal request is communicated,” she said.

The foreign delegation, part of India’s diplomatic offensive in the aftermath of Operation Sindoor, will be visiting 32 countries as well as the European Union headquarters in Brussels. The initiative aims to rally international support against terrorism and highlight India’s strategic stance.

The delegations will include a diverse group of political leaders such as Baijayant Panda, Ravi Shankar Prasad (BJP), Sanjay Kumar Jha (JDU), Shrikant Shinde (Shiv Sena), Shashi Tharoor (Congress), Kanimozhi (DMK), and Supriya Sule (NCP-SP).

TMC’s active participation, through Abhishek Banerjee, underscores the party’s readiness to engage in key national and international discussions, while maintaining its distinctive voice in India’s evolving geopolitical narrative.