Multi-party delegations are to secure support for India, not highlight domestic political differences, says Salman Khurshid

File photo of former Union Minister Salman Khurshid. | Photo Credit: AP

Former Union Minister Salman Khurshid on Sunday (June 1, 2025) took to social media to clarify that the multi-party delegations formed by the Centre, which are visiting different countries to explain India’s stance on Operation Sindoor post the Pahalgam terror attack, are seeking to secure “explicit support for the country and not highlight domestic political differences”.

Mr. Khursid’s comment came after reports that he had endorsed the Modi government’s decision to abrogate the Special Status of Jammu and Kashmir under Article 370 and talked about how the move brought prosperity to the Union Territory. The Congress leader is part of the delegation that has visited Japan, Singapore, South Korea, Indonesia and Malaysia.

In a long Facebook post, Mr. Khurshid, who is a member of the Congress Working Committee (CWC), took a very nuanced position, explaining how “our instincts told us to stand by the government and support the need to bring the offenders to justice”.

In all strategic matters, there are varying opinions and questions will be asked of the government as more information comes out, he added.

“But this debate should not spill over into the national endeavour to persuade the world about the core issue of terrorist attacks on India,” Mr. Khursid wrote, adding, “Our parties sent us to secure explicit support from the countries we are visiting, not to highlight domestic party-political differences. In conclusion, we hope to be back home soon with some gain for the country. Ma thuje salaam”.

Unlike Congress leader Shashi Tharoor’s comment on surgical strikes, which triggered sharp reactions from party colleagues, the Congress has been silent on Mr. Khurshid’s statement on Article 370.

The difference in the stance is because the Congress position on Article 370 has undergone a change -- from strongly opposing the dilution in August 2019 to complete silence on it. Instead, the party now pushes for restoration of complete Statehood for J&K.

However, with media reports pitching Mr. Khurshid’s statement as being at odds with his party, he wrote, “…we understand public duties and national interest a lot better than armchair critics and TRP chasers”.

Published - June 01, 2025 08:30 pm IST