Shashi Tharoor – MP, Congress leader:

Excellent meeting of the Consultative Committee on External Affairs this morning on Ukraine.

My thanks to ⁦Dr S Jaishankar⁩ & his colleagues for a comprehensive briefing & candid responses to our questions &concerns.

This is the spirit in which foreign policy should be run.

I have declined media requests for comments since the meeting is confidential. However we urged MEA to issue a more detailed statement than usual.

The meeting took place in a constructive spirit & all parties are united in their desire to see our nationals return safely home.

Nine MPs attended from six political parties.

Congress MPs present were Rahul Gandhi, Anand Sharma & myself.

Frank discussions took place in an amicable atmosphere, a reminder that when it comes to national interests we are all Indians first and foremost.