Senior Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “energy, dynamism, and willingness to engage globally” following the government’s diplomatic efforts in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack. His remarks come after leading one of the cross-party delegations as part of Operation Sindoor, India’s anti-terrorism diplomatic campaign.
In a recent opinion piece, Tharoor described India’s outreach, which saw seven MP-led delegations visit 32 countries including the United States, Brazil, Russia, Saudi Arabia, and members of the European Union, as a “moment of national resolve.” He emphasized that the initiative showed how a united India can present a strong and coherent narrative on the global stage.
The delegations, according to Tharoor, effectively communicated the “calibrated and measured” nature of India’s military response to the terror attack in Pahalgam and highlighted Pakistan’s persistent role in fostering terrorism. Notably, Tharoor revealed that even as a Pakistani delegation was present in the US at the same time, American officials echoed India’s concerns and supported calls for action against terror groups.
“We consistently highlighted the severity of the threat from across our borders, aiming to build global consensus to hold perpetrators accountable,” Tharoor stated, crediting the outreach’s success to fact-based advocacy and cohesive messaging.
Tharoor’s leadership in the US-bound delegation – seen as the most crucial of the missions – sparked internal unease within the Congress party. Critics within the party accused him of acting as a “super spokesperson” for the BJP’s global campaigns, especially after his warm words for the Prime Minister.
His ongoing praise for Modi’s international diplomacy has fuelled speculation of a potential political shift, with some quarters suggesting he may be considering joining the BJP. However, Tharoor has firmly denied such claims, reiterating his long-standing loyalty to the Congress and its principles.
In a recent interview, he clarified that any friction with the Congress was limited to “differences of opinion with only some elements of leadership,” and that he remained committed to the party he had served for over 16 years.
Alongside Tharoor, several other opposition leaders participated in Operation Sindoor, including AIMIM’s Asaduddin Owaisi, DMK’s Kanimozhi, and Priyanka Chaturvedi of Shiv Sena (UBT), showcasing a rare instance of bipartisan cooperation on matters of national security.