NEW DELHI: Opposition MPs at a parliamentary committee meeting on Wednesday questioned PM Narendra Modi’s visit to Israel days before its, along with the US, attack on Iran and govt’s “silence” on the killing of the Islamic country’s supreme leader as the ministry of external affairs briefed the panel on safety and security of the Indian diaspora in West Asia.While several members of the committee on external affairs headed by Shashi Tharoor of Congress flagged India’s diplomatic choices and wondered if it has changed its traditional stand on issues concerning West Asia, the ministry said it will reply later to their queries in writing, people in the know said. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, who generally briefs the committee, was could not attend the meeting.
Tharoor told reporters that every MP had questions and concerns about the overall situation, the impact, and the safety and security of Indians there besides the oil and gas supplies. “We got some answers but didn’t get all, as the foreign secretary was unavailable,” he added.He said about 9,000 Indians remain in Iran but noted that not all of them necessarily wish to leave. It is fairly easy to travel in and out by commercial means from Gulf countries, especially the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Oman, he said.Tharoor said questions were raised about Modi’s visit to Israel but declined to give details on internal discussion within the committee. “MPs would naturally raise every issue that is on their mind,” he said.
