Sushma Swaraj maintains that India did not address the Bandung Conference.

New Delhi: The Congress party, along with other opposition parties, has filed a privilege motion against External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj in the Rajya Sabha for allegedly misleading the House on two issues: Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 2015 visit to Lahore and the Bandung Conference in Indonesia that same year.

Leaders from various political parties have accused Ms. Swaraj of “providing false information about the Bandung Asia-Africa relations conference.” They noted that while Ms. Swaraj claimed she did not deliver any speech at the Bandung conference, the opposition parties have downloaded a purported speech and will present it as evidence.

The government and opposition engaged in a heated exchange in the Rajya Sabha yesterday over India’s statement at the Bandung Conference. Senior Congress member Anand Sharma alleged that the name of the first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, was omitted from the address delivered by Minister of State for External Affairs VK Singh at the conference.

Trinamool Congress’s Derek O’Brien supported Mr. Sharma in criticizing the government. However, Ms. Swaraj stated that India did not address the Bandung Conference. She clarified that the speech Mr. Sharma referred to was delivered at a separate Afro-Asian Conference held at a different time.

“These were two different conferences,” she asserted.

Pandit Nehru was one of the founding members of the Bandung Conference in 1955.

The second privilege motion concerns the alleged “misinforming of the House about PM Modi’s 2015 Lahore visit, claiming there were no terror incidents after that.”

The opposition, however, pointed out that the Pathankot terror attack occurred immediately after PM Modi’s visit, along with five other terror-related incidents afterward.

Mr. Sharma also demanded to know why PM Modi made that visit to Pakistan and “why, to this day, no one knows the details of the meeting.”

“You were heading to Afghanistan and stopped in Lahore midway; to this day, the Prime Minister has not told the nation what discussions took place. On one hand, you get upset and cancel talks after Pakistan invites separatists for tea, and on the other hand, you make a dramatic visit breaking all protocols,” he said.

In December 2015, PM Modi’s spontaneous decision to “drop by” Lahore to extend birthday greetings to Nawaz Sharif drew criticism from opposition parties. PM Modi was en route to Delhi after a day-long trip to Afghanistan.

Bandung Conference

The Bandung Conference, officially the Asian-African Conference, was a historic meeting held in Bandung, Indonesia, in April 1955. It brought together leaders from 29 newly independent Asian and African nations to promote economic and cultural cooperation and to oppose colonialism and neocolonialism. This conference is widely regarded as a pivotal moment in the development of the Non-Aligned Movement and a symbol of solidarity among developing countries during the Cold War.

Indonesia

Indonesia is a Southeast Asian archipelago nation with over 17,000 islands, known for its immense cultural and biological diversity. Its history includes powerful Hindu-Buddhist kingdoms like Srivijaya and Majapahit, followed by centuries of Dutch colonial rule, and a declaration of independence in 1945. Today, it is the world’s largest Muslim-majority country, home to iconic sites like Borobudur temple and the island of Bali.

Rajya Sabha

The Rajya Sabha, or Council of States, is the upper house of India’s bicameral Parliament, established in 1952 following the Constitution of India’s adoption in 1950. Unlike the Lok Sabha, its members are not directly elected by the public but are chosen by state legislatures and presidential nominations, representing India’s federal structure. It serves as a revising chamber, reviewing legislation passed by the lower house and ensuring regional interests are considered in national governance.

Lahore

Lahore, the cultural capital of Pakistan, is a historic city with roots dating back over a millennium, reaching prominence as a major center of the Mughal Empire in the 16th and 17th centuries. Renowned for landmarks like the Badshahi Mosque and Lahore Fort, it served as a hub for art, poetry, and architecture. Today, it remains a vibrant metropolis, celebrated for its rich fusion of Mughal, Sikh, and British colonial heritage.

Afghanistan

Afghanistan is a landlocked country in Central and South Asia with a rich and complex history as a crossroads of ancient civilizations, including the Persian, Greek, and Mughal empires. It was a key hub on the Silk Road and home to the famous Buddhist Bamiyan Buddhas, which were destroyed in 2001. In modern times, Afghanistan has been marked by decades of conflict, including the Soviet invasion, civil war, and the rise and fall of the Taliban, shaping its current cultural and political landscape.

Delhi

Delhi, the capital of India, is a historic city that has been continuously inhabited for millennia, serving as the seat of power for numerous empires, including the Delhi Sultanate and the Mughal Empire. Its rich history is reflected in iconic landmarks like the Red Fort, Qutub Minar, and Humayun’s Tomb, which blend ancient and medieval architecture. Today, Delhi is a bustling metropolis that seamlessly fuses its storied past with modern urban life.

Pakistan

Pakistan is a South Asian country with a rich history, home to ancient civilizations like the Indus Valley and later a key region in the Mughal Empire. It was created in 1947 as a homeland for Muslims in the Indian subcontinent, following the partition of British India. Today, Pakistan is known for its diverse cultures, languages, and landmarks such as the ancient city of Mohenjo-daro and the mountainous northern regions.

Pathankot

Pathankot is a city in the Indian state of Punjab, located near the border with Pakistan. Historically, it served as a strategic military outpost during British rule and was a key location during the 1965 and 1971 Indo-Pakistani wars. Today, it is known as a gateway to the Kangra and Dalhousie hill stations, and it features the ancient Nurpur Fort and other cultural landmarks.