'We are here because ...': Salman Khurshid reacts amid Congress unease over Operation Sindoor outreach

Amid unease in Congress for his pro-government remarks during the Operation Sindoor outreach, Salman Khurshid on Tuesday asserted that there should be no difference of opinion when it comes to defending the country.

However, Khurshid, who was speaking to ANI in Malaysia, said that differences should be voiced in other domains and the ruling government must understand that as well.

Responding to a question on facing criticism for supporting the government, Khurshid further clarified that he is part of the multi-party delegation because the Congress decided to send him.

"We are here because our political parties have stamped the approval and decided to send us here ... Once we come here, we have to speak in a single language ... you can't say there is zero agreement between opposition and government because in defending the country, in organising the country against terrorism, there is no difference of opinion. If there are difference of opinions, which are voiced and should be voiced within the Indian system ... I hope the government also understands this, each one of us has to get back to our respective political parties and we will have to do what our political parties have to do ... this is an area where there is convergence, it is country first and country that matters, that is the attitude of everybody," he said.

The former Union minister, who is part of a multi-party delegation led by JD(U) leader Sanjay Jha, had said earlier that the diplomatic outreach is only a matter of 10-12 days where nation is the priority.

"People are saying, he (Salman Khurshid) is supporting so and so and he is not supporting so and so; they are supporting government, etc. Have I come here to oppose the government of India? If I wanted to do that, I would stay at home. I have come here to speak for India, whoever speaks for India and in whichever way they speak for India, whatever is said for India, we are here to support," Khurshid told ANI on Monday.

Khurshid had also criticised those questioning the politicial allegiances of opposition leaders who are part of the multi-party delegation on Operation Sindoor.

"When on mission against terrorism, to carry India’s message to the world, it’s distressing that people at home are calculating political allegiances. Is it so difficult to be patriotic?" Khurshid said on X.

The remarks by Khurshid come at a time when several Congress leaders have expressed disappointment at party MPs for supporting the Modi government's narrative on the global stage.

"Our MPs are roaming and terrorists are also roaming," senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh had remarked earlier.

Congress leaders like Shashi Tharoor and Manish Tewari have also supported the government's stance on several issues during the diplomatic outreach, causing unease within the grand old party.