An honour to be part of Indian delegation: IUML's Mohammed Basheer

A notable member of the Indian delegations for the global outreach against Pakistan-sponsored terrorism is E T Mohammed Basheer, the Lok Sabha leader of the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), a prominent constituent of the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) of Kerala. Though the BJP has often targeted the IUML to score political brownie points, the central government was quick to reach out to Basheer with an invitation to join the Indian delegation for the global outreach against Pakistan.

"It is an honour for my party and for me to be part of the Indian delegation to present our national cause before world nations, especially against the menace of terrorism and Pakistan's activities against our country," Basheer told ET. "I am sure the Indian delegations will be able to awaken the world all the more to the perils of terrorism. As a member of the Indian delegation, I will make my contributions towards this mission," he said. Basheer is part of the nine-member Indian delegation that will be travelling to the UAE, Liberia, Democratic Republic of Congo and Sierra Leone. The IUML leadership was very positive about the invitation and me becoming part of the Indian delegation because it involves our national interest and national cause," he said.

Asked about the Congress leadership taking objection to the governmentreaching out to its MPs, including Shashi Tharoor, Basheer said, "It is an internal matter of the Congress." However, he expressed happiness about Tharoor and John Brittas of the CPI(M) also being part of the delegations along with him.