New Delhi: Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, currently leading a multi-party parliamentary delegation as part of India’s diplomatic outreach post-Operation Sindoor, has come under fire from within his own party for allegedly echoing the rhetoric of the ruling BJP.
Tharoor, known for his oratory and diplomatic credentials, is spearheading a government-mandated delegation to several countries, including the United States, Guyana, and Panama, to present India’s counter-terrorism narrative following the latest military strikes against Pakistan-based terror infrastructure.
During his visit to Panama, Tharoor condemned Pakistan for its ongoing support of cross-border terrorism, stating that recent military responses have demonstrated a shift in India’s strategy. “What has changed in recent years is that the terrorists have realized they will have a price to pay — on that, let there be no doubt,” he declared.
Tharoor referenced past military actions, including the 2016 surgical strikes after the Uri attack and the 2019 Balakot airstrikes following Pulwama, noting that India’s response has become increasingly assertive. “We have not only crossed the Line of Control but also the international border. We have struck terror bases in the Punjabi heartland of Pakistan, hitting training camps and headquarters at nine locations,” he said, referring to the most recent Operation Sindoor.
However, Tharoor’s remarks have sparked internal controversy. Congress leader Udit Raj accused him of aligning too closely with the BJP’s stance, calling him a “super spokesperson of the BJP.” He criticized Tharoor for praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi and questioned his grasp of the contributions made by previous governments. “What BJP leaders are not saying, Tharoor is,” Udit Raj claimed.
The controversy also stems from the process through which Tharoor was appointed to the delegation. According to sources, when the central government requested Congress to nominate four MPs for the international outreach, the party submitted the names of Anand Sharma, Gaurav Gogoi, Dr. Syed Naseer Hussain, and Raja Brar. However, the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs announced Tharoor’s inclusion instead, with BJP spokesperson Amit Malviya later calling Congress’s original choices “deeply questionable.”
Despite the internal criticism, Tharoor continues to lead a united delegation comprising members from the BJP, JMM, TDP, Shiv Sena, and other parties, engaging with global stakeholders — including lawmakers, think tanks, media, and the Indian diaspora — to present a cohesive Indian stance on national security and terrorism.
