20 May,2026 11:51 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar (Left) and Prime Minister Narendra Modi (Right). Pic/Facebook
Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) chief Sharad Pawar on Tuesday said political differences should not come in the way of protecting the country's prestige, asserting that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is working to uphold India's honour on the global stage, reported PTI.
Speaking at an event in Mumbai, the veteran leader said leaders across political ideologies must come together whenever there is an opportunity to work in the national interest.
"Prime Minister Narendra Modi is working to protect the country's prestige outside India. We may have different political views, but when it comes to the nation's honour, political differences should not be brought in," Pawar said during his address, reported PTI.
The Rajya Sabha MP was speaking at a gratitude and fellowship gathering organised by the Pune-based Lakshmanrao Gutte Rural Development Foundation for former state and district office-bearers.
During the event, Pawar referred to former prime ministers Indira Gandhi, P. V. Narasimha Rao and Manmohan Singh, saying they always kept India's long-term interests and international reputation at the centre of their leadership, reported PTI.
According to Pawar, political leaders may belong to different parties, but the country's image and dignity should remain a common priority for everyone.
He urged political workers and former colleagues from various parties to continue contributing collectively whenever issues concerning national interest arise, reported PTI.
"If there is an opportunity to work together for the national interest, everyone should participate with one common purpose and contribute to enhancing the country's prestige," Pawar said.
The senior leader also reflected on his early years in politics and his journey from Baramati to Pune.
Pawar said he moved to Pune in 1958 at the age of 18 because there was no college in Baramati at that time. He later became active in student and youth politics and eventually rose through the ranks of the Youth Congress, reported PTI.
According to Pawar, he became the Pune City Youth Congress chief within four years and later went on to lead the Maharashtra Youth Congress before taking up responsibilities at the national level.
He told the audience that many people present at the gathering had spent the most energetic years of their lives working in youth organisations and public life before moving into different political parties over time.
"Some may be in different parties today, but all of you continue to remain connected with ordinary people and have consciously preserved your commitment to society," he said.
Sharing memories from his early political years, Pawar recounted meeting India's first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru at Teen Murti House in Delhi.
He said he and his colleagues had prepared several questions related to farmers and youth issues before the meeting, but forgot everything they wanted to ask once Nehru arrived, reported PTI.
"We had prepared many questions, but when Pandit Nehru came before us, his personality was so towering that we forgot what we wanted to say," Pawar recalled.
Pawar also narrated an incident involving Indira Gandhi during an official visit to the former Soviet Union.
Referring to a conversation with former diplomat and prime minister I. K. Gujral, Pawar said Gandhi strongly objected when she felt India's prime minister was not being accorded proper respect by Soviet authorities, reported PTI.
According to Pawar, Gandhi had asserted that she represented millions of Indians and would not tolerate any insult to the country's dignity.
"I represent 40 crore people of India. If their prestige is not respected, I will never accept it," Pawar quoted Gandhi as saying.
The NCP (SP) leader concluded by welcoming the coming together of former colleagues from different political backgrounds and encouraged them to continue engaging in initiatives aimed at public welfare and national development.
(With inputs from PTI)
