From left: PV Narasimha Rao, Manmohan Singh
Credit: PTI photo
New Delhi: The Narendra Modi government plans to send multi-party delegations to brief foreign countries about Pakistan-sponsored terrorism is not the first time that an Indian dispensation is sending such teams to amplify India's stand.
While in 1994, then Prime Minister PV Narasimha Rao sent a delegation led by Leader of Opposition Atal Bihari Vajpayee to the United Nations Human Rights Commission (UNHRC) in Geneva to counter Pakistan, Manmohan Singh sent multi-party delegations to provide evidence of Islamabad's involvement in Mumbai terror attacks.
Along with Vajpayee, the Prime Minister had then sent former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah and Salman Khurshid to Geneva to counter a resolution brought by Pakistan accusing India of human rights violations in Jammu and Kashmir. Interventions by the Vajpayee-led delegation led to the defeat of Pakistan's resolution.
In 2008, India sent delegations to various countries with documented proof of Pakistan's involvement in terrorist activities in the country, including in Mumbai strikes. While India did not initiate military action then, India's diplomatic efforts helped in ensuring that Pakistan was included in the 'Grey List' of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF).
Sources said the Modi government's decision also faced some trouble with the Congress as the former did not consult the main opposition party while choosing Shashi Tharoor as part of a delegation.
As Congress expressed its reservation of not consulting the party, sources said Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju reached out to the Congress leadership. Rijiju spoke to Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, who is also the Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha.
Apart from Tharoor, Congress leaders Manish Tewari, Salman Khurshid and Amar Singh are also part of delegations.