Baby Chakraborty, KalimNews, Kolkata, May 21, 2025 : In the wake of Operation Sindoor—a decisive Indian military response to the Pahalgam terror attack—India has launched a diplomatic outreach mission across the globe to present its stance and highlight Pakistan’s alleged support for terrorism. As part of this initiative, Trinamool Congress MP Abhishek Banerjee is among the multi-party delegation travelling to five Asian countries, reflecting the Indian government’s effort to demonstrate political unity on international platforms during a critical moment in its security narrative.
The outreach follows the events of May 7, when, in retaliation to the Pahalgam terror attack, the Indian Army struck several terrorist camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. India has maintained that its military actions targeted only militant infrastructure and not Pakistani civilian or military assets. Operation Sindoor, as it has been named, is being portrayed by the government as a calibrated and precise counterterrorism response in line with international law.
To bolster India’s position diplomatically, the Centre has dispatched several multi-party delegations to key global capitals. These delegations are tasked with presenting India’s perspective on the operation and countering Pakistan’s anticipated diplomatic narrative. A central talking point of the campaign is India’s assertion that Pakistan continues to harbor and sponsor terrorist networks operating across the border.
Originally, the Trinamool Congress’s representative in the delegation was to be MP Yusuf Pathan from Berhampur. However, the party objected to his inclusion, stating that the decision was made unilaterally by the Centre without proper consultation. TMC supremo and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee insisted that the party, not the central government, would choose its representative. In a subsequent call from Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, Mamata proposed the name of Abhishek Banerjee, MP from Diamond Harbour and her nephew.
Following this, Abhishek’s name was officially added to the diplomatic team, which is being led by Janata Dal (United) MP Sanjay Jha. The group held a preparatory meeting on Tuesday with Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, which Abhishek attended. Early Wednesday morning, he departed from Kolkata airport for Delhi, where he was scheduled to board the flight for the first leg of the mission.
The delegation will visit Japan, followed by South Korea, Singapore, Indonesia, and Malaysia. During these visits, they will meet with senior officials and think tanks to communicate India’s objectives, reaffirm the country’s commitment to peace, and underline the necessity of international cooperation in combating terrorism.
Abhishek’s inclusion comes at a politically sensitive time, with opposition leaders like BJP’s Subhendu Adhikari using the opportunity to criticize Trinamool’s internal politics and accuse it of functioning as a “private limited company.” Despite the political friction, Abhishek’s participation reflects a rare moment of bipartisan engagement on a critical issue of national interest, signaling India’s intention to show a united front on the global stage.
As the diplomatic campaign unfolds, all eyes are on how effectively the delegation can convey India’s position in the region, counter misinformation, and build consensus on counterterrorism efforts in an increasingly volatile geopolitical landscape.