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The selection of nominees for India's multi-party global diplomacy outreach on the war against terror has ignited a significant political controversy. The central issue revolves around whether the Union government consulted with various political parties in a genuine and transparent manner, or if it unilaterally decided on the representatives to be included in these crucial international delegations. The Congress party and the Trinamool Congress (TMC) have vehemently criticized the government's approach, alleging that their suggestions were either ignored or that they were not even consulted in the first place. This has led to accusations of political maneuvering and a lack of respect for the principles of federalism and parliamentary democracy. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its allies, on the other hand, have defended the selection process, asserting that the government has the prerogative to choose the most suitable individuals based on their knowledge of diplomacy and their ability to effectively represent India's interests on the global stage. They accuse the opposition parties of prioritizing narrow political gains over the larger national interest, arguing that the fight against terrorism requires a united front and should not be subjected to partisan politics.
The Congress party's primary grievance stems from the claim that the government initially sought nominations from the party but subsequently disregarded the suggestions and selected individuals according to its own preferences. Congress leader Pramod Tiwari articulated this sentiment, stating that the BJP engaged in "cheap politics" by soliciting names only to then disregard them. He emphasized the importance of respecting the Parliamentary system, where parties are typically consulted in the formation of all-party delegations. Jairam Ramesh, the Congress general secretary in-charge of communications, further intensified the criticism by accusing the government of politicizing the entire exercise and acting with "malicious intent." He pointed out that only one out of the four Congress leaders nominated by the party was ultimately selected for the delegation. Ramesh also took a swipe at Prime Minister Modi, highlighting the perceived irony of seeking the opposition's cooperation in these delegations after years of publicly criticizing the Congress party in various international forums. He argued that the BJP's "poisonous politics" at home has damaged India's standing abroad, leading to a situation where India is once again being "hyphenated with Pakistan," a reference to the past tendency to view the two countries as a single strategic entity. This underscores the Congress party's belief that the government's actions are not only politically motivated but also detrimental to India's foreign policy objectives.
The Trinamool Congress also expressed strong dissatisfaction with the selection process. The party alleged that it was not consulted by the government at all and that the name of its MP, Yusuf Pathan, was decided "unilaterally." In response to this perceived lack of consultation, the TMC withdrew Yusuf Pathan from the delegation, signaling its strong disapproval of the government's approach. This withdrawal further underscored the growing rift between the TMC and the BJP-led government at the Centre. While the Congress party has opted to remain a part of the global diplomacy outreach despite its reservations, the TMC's decision to withdraw reflects a more hardline stance and a greater willingness to publicly challenge the government's actions. The diverging responses from the two opposition parties highlight the complex dynamics of Indian politics and the different strategies employed by various political actors in dealing with the government.
In response to the criticism from the Congress and the TMC, the BJP has vehemently defended its actions. BJP leaders have asserted that the selection of nominees for the global outreach is the government's prerogative and that the primary consideration was to choose individuals with the requisite knowledge and experience in diplomacy. BJP leader Praveen Khandelwal dismissed the allegations of political maneuvering, stating that "it is the government's prerogative to send whom to which place." He argued that the government nominated those who have a deep understanding of diplomacy, implying that the Congress and TMC nominees may not have possessed the same level of expertise. Madan Rathore, the Rajasthan BJP president, further emphasized the importance of presenting a united front against terrorism and called on the opposition to appreciate the inclusion of their leaders in the delegations. The BJP's allies have also joined in the defense of the government, echoing the argument that national interest should take precedence over partisan politics. The BJP's defense rests on the principle of executive authority and the need for qualified individuals to represent India effectively on the international stage.
Interestingly, two other parties, the Samajwadi Party (SP) and the Biju Janata Dal (BJD), have remained relatively silent on the controversy, even though their members have been nominated for the global outreach. Samajwadi Party MP Rajeev Rai acknowledged that the Centre should have considered the names provided by the parties if it had sought nominations from them. However, he also urged all parties to prioritize the nation's interest and show a "big heart" in the fight against terrorism. Biju Janata Dal MP Sasmit Patra expressed pride in being part of the all-party delegation and chose to steer clear of political controversies, stating that the focus should be on collectively presenting India's concerns and stance on global platforms. The muted response from the SP and the BJD suggests a more pragmatic approach, prioritizing cooperation on matters of national security over partisan squabbles. It remains uncertain whether these two parties were consulted before the names of their leaders were decided, but their willingness to participate in the outreach program indicates a willingness to set aside political differences for the sake of national unity.
Adding another layer to the debate, NCP (SP) president Sharad Pawar, whose daughter Supriya Sule is leading one of the seven delegations, has also backed the government's move. Pawar emphasized that "party-level politics should be shunned" when dealing with international issues. He stated that the government has formed these delegations to put forth India's stand on issues such as the Pahalgam attack and the subsequent activities emanating from Pakistan. Pawar's support for the government's initiative further underscores the argument that national interest should take precedence over partisan considerations in matters of foreign policy and national security. His endorsement provides a significant boost to the government's efforts to project a united front against terrorism and strengthens the legitimacy of the global diplomacy outreach program.
The composition of the seven delegations reflects a multi-party approach, with representation from the BJP, JDU, Shiv Sena, Congress, DMK, and NCP-SP. These delegations are scheduled to visit a total of 32 countries and the EU headquarters in Brussels, Belgium. The aim of the global outreach is to project India's united stance against terrorism and to garner international support for its efforts to combat this global threat. The success of this initiative will depend not only on the effectiveness of the delegations in conveying India's message but also on the ability of the government and the opposition parties to overcome their political differences and work together in the national interest. The controversy surrounding the selection of nominees serves as a reminder of the challenges inherent in building a consensus on foreign policy issues in a diverse and often politically divided nation. The future will reveal if the call for unity on matters of national security will prevail over the entrenched partisan dynamics, or if the political games will continue to undermine the efforts to present a coherent and unified front on the global stage.
In conclusion, the row over the selection of nominees for the global anti-terror outreach delegation highlights the ongoing tension between the government and the opposition parties in India. The Congress and the TMC have accused the BJP-led government of unilateral decision-making and political maneuvering, while the BJP and its allies have defended the selection process as being based on merit and national interest. The contrasting responses from various political parties underscore the complex dynamics of Indian politics and the challenges of forging a united front on issues of foreign policy and national security. The success of the global outreach program will depend on the ability of all stakeholders to prioritize the national interest over partisan considerations and to work together to project a coherent and unified message on the global stage. Only time will tell if the call for unity will prevail over the entrenched political divisions.
The controversy surrounding the selection of nominees for India's multi-party global diplomacy outreach underscores the delicate balance between government prerogative and the need for inclusive consultation in a parliamentary democracy. While the BJP defends its choices based on expertise and national interest, the opposition's concerns about transparency and partisan politics raise fundamental questions about the integrity of the process. The diverging reactions from various political parties reveal the complex interplay of ideologies, power dynamics, and strategic calculations that shape Indian politics. Ultimately, the success of this global outreach program hinges on the ability of all stakeholders to transcend political divides and present a united front against terrorism, demonstrating India's commitment to international cooperation and its resolve to address global challenges effectively.