Biju Janata Dal MP Baijayant Panda says the PM Narendra Modi's decision to visit Israel -- the first ever for an Indian PM -- was a good development. "It's unfortunate we have not always acted in national interest because of certain political correctness," Panda said.


Panda, who has angered his party for his independent opinions shorn of political colour, was sacked as party spokesperson after he wrote an article in an Odia paper, asking that his party introspect about its below-par performance in the local body elections in Odisha.

The Congress took an opposing view attacking the Prime Minister on his foreign trips, saying they have not benefited India "even a bit" and that only time will tell about the gains from his current visit to Israel.

The party's remarks came as the prime minister left on a three-day visit to Israel, the first by an Indian premier to the country. Senior AICC spokesperson Ajay Maken claimed Modi's last "64 visits in more than 3 years" have catered only to domestic Indian audience through "televised shows" instead of ensuring concrete gains for the country. "Only the time will tell how India will benefit out of the 65th visit, but if you look at the track record, India has not benefited a bit out of his last foreign visits," he said.