Sushma Swaraj maintains that India didn’t address the Bandung Conference.

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

Leaders of different political parties have alleged that Ms Swaraj “provided wrong information on the Bandung Asia Africa relations conference”. They added that while Ms Swaraj claimed that she had not delivered any speech during the Bandung conference, the opposition parties have downloaded a purported speech and will attach it as proof.

The government and the opposition yesterday engaged in a verbal duel in the Rajya Sabha over India’s statement at the Bandung Conference. A senior Congress member alleged that first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru’s name was omitted from the address delivered by the Minister of State for External Affairs at the conference.

A Trinamool Congress member supported the Congress member in attacking the government. However, Ms Swaraj said India didn’t address the Bandung Conference. She said the speech which was being referred to was delivered at another Afro-Asian Conference held separately.

“These were two different conferences,” she maintained.

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

The second privilege is for allegedly “misinforming the House on PM Modi’s 2015 Lahore visit, claiming that there was no terror incident after that”.

The opposition, however, said that the Pathankot terror attack happened immediately after PM Modi’s visit and there were five other terror-related incidents after that too.

The Congress member also demanded to know why PM Modi made that visit to Pakistan and “why, till date, nobody knows the details of the meeting”.

“You were going to Afghanistan and got down at Lahore mid-way; till date the Prime Minister hasn’t told the nation what talks took place. On one hand, you get miffed and cancel talks after Pakistan invites separatists on a tea party, and on the other hand, you make a dramatic visit breaching all protocols,” he said.

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

Bandung Conference

The Bandung Conference was a historic meeting of Asian and African states held in Bandung, Indonesia, in April 1955. It was a major milestone in the decolonization process and the Cold War, as it promoted cooperation among newly independent nations and led to the establishment of the Non-Aligned Movement. The conference is remembered for its principles promoting world peace and cooperation against colonialism.

Rajya Sabha

Rajya Sabha is the upper house of India’s bicameral Parliament, representing the states and union territories of the Indian Union. It was constituted in 1952, following the adoption of India’s constitution, and serves as a chamber for reviewing and suggesting changes to legislation proposed by the lower house. Its structure and role are inspired by historical Indian councils and provide a platform for experienced professionals and experts in various fields.

Lahore

Lahore is a major cultural, historical, and economic center in Pakistan, often called the country’s cultural heart. It boasts a rich history spanning over a millennium, having served as a capital for the Mughal Empire, which left behind magnificent landmarks like the Lahore Fort and the Badshahi Mosque.

Afro-Asian Conference

The Afro-Asian Conference, also known as the Bandung Conference, was a historic 1955 meeting of Asian and African states in Bandung, Indonesia. It was a major milestone in the decolonization process and the Cold War, as it promoted cooperation among newly independent nations and led to the establishment of the Non-Aligned Movement. The conference’s principles of peace and economic and cultural cooperation became a foundational moment for the Global South.

Pathankot

Pathankot is a city in the Indian state of Punjab, strategically located at the junction of three northern states. Historically, it served as a significant gateway for various empires and is known for its ancient forts, such as the Nurpur Fort, which dates back to the 10th century. Today, it is a major transportation and army cantonment hub.

Afghanistan

Afghanistan is a historically rich crossroads of civilizations, with a heritage shaped by empires like the Persians, Greeks, and Mughals. It is home to ancient cultural sites, most notably the Buddhas of Bamiyan, and has long been a strategic location along the Silk Road. In recent history, the country has endured decades of conflict, including the Soviet invasion and the subsequent rise of the Taliban.

Pakistan

Pakistan is a modern nation-state established in 1947 as a homeland for Muslims of British India, but its territory encompasses the ancient Indus Valley Civilization, one of the world’s earliest cradles of urban culture. The region has a rich and layered history, having been part of numerous empires including the Persian, Greek, Mughal, and British. Its cultural sites range from the 5,000-year-old ruins of Mohenjo-Daro to the magnificent Mughal-era Badshahi Mosque and Lahore Fort.

Indonesia

Indonesia is a Southeast Asian archipelago comprising over 17,000 islands, with a rich history shaped by powerful Hindu-Buddhist empires, the spread of Islam, and European colonialism, notably by the Dutch. It is a culturally diverse nation, home to hundreds of ethnic groups and languages, and is renowned for its significant natural landmarks like volcanoes and rainforests.