MPs Sent to Countries Irrelevant to India-Pakistan Issue: Sanjay Raut
Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut has raised concerns over the government’s decision to send multi-party delegations of Members of Parliament to countries that have no connection to the India-Pakistan issue, citing the recent ‘Operation Sindoor’ as the backdrop for the move.
During a statement to a regional news channel, Raut criticized the government for prioritizing ‘showmanship’ over ‘substance’ in its diplomatic outreach. He questioned the rationale behind sending delegations to nations such as Liberia, Congo, and Sierra Leone, which he argued have no strategic relevance to the India-Pakistan conflict.
Referring to a delegation led by Kalyan MP Shrikant Shinde of Shiv Sena, which departed for the United Arab Emirates earlier in the day and is expected to visit several African nations, Raut noted the apparent lack of strategic clarity in the government’s approach. He stated, ‘The way these delegations are being dispatched is not right. Countries with no geopolitical relevance to the India-Pakistan conflict are being chosen, which shows the government is more interested in showmanship rather than substance.’
Raut emphasized that the Modi government should focus on engaging with neighboring countries such as Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Nepal, and China. He pointed out that China, despite its support for Pakistan, could have been a more relevant destination for the delegation. He also suggested that Turkey, a country that has supported Pakistan, should be included in the itinerary, asserting that the government should use such trips to ‘expose Pakistan’ in a diplomatic context.
Separately, Raut took issue with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis over the re-entry of NCP leader Chhagan Bhujbal into the Maharashtra cabinet. He accused Fadnavis of hypocrisy, noting that he had previously declared Bhujbal the ‘biggest corrupt leader in the state’ and ensured his imprisonment through the Enforcement Directorate. Raut criticized Fadnavis for welcoming Bhujbal back into the cabinet with ‘flowers,’ stating, ‘This shows the hypocrisy of the current government.’
Raut acknowledged that there is no issue with Bhujbal returning to office, as he has spent 25 years in the Shiv Sena. However, he argued that Fadnavis and Eknath Shinde are ‘playing with false faces’ by supporting a ‘corrupt’ minister for political gain. He added, ‘Either Fadnavis lied earlier, or he is okay with having corrupt ministers as long as they serve his political purpose.’
The statements by Raut come amid ongoing discussions about the government’s foreign policy priorities and the political dynamics within the Maharashtra state legislature. His comments highlight the growing scrutiny on the Modi government’s international engagements and the internal challenges within the state’s ruling alliance.