Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has clarified that his recent remarks praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s energy and diplomatic outreach should not be interpreted as a signal of him joining the BJP. The statement comes amid growing media speculation, following his op-ed on India’s foreign policy, where he described PM Modi as a dynamic leader who has effectively represented India on the global stage. Shashi Tharoor’s clarification also comes at a sensitive time within the Congress, as the party continues to question the PM Modi government’s foreign policy approach, even as Shashi Tharoor appears to strike a more bipartisan note.
Operation Sindoor and Shashi Tharoor’s Praise for PM Modi
Shashi Tharoor’s article in The Hindu, titled “Lessons from Operation Sindoor’s Global Outreach,” commended India’s recent diplomatic efforts following a key operation. He lauded the coordinated response and the effectiveness of the country’s global engagement during the crisis. “Prime Minister Narendra Modi has himself demonstrated dynamism and energy in engaging with other countries,” Shashi Tharoor wrote.
However, he also made it clear in follow-up comments that this praise was not an endorsement of the BJP or a sign of political realignment. “There is no such thing as the BJP’s foreign policy or the Congress’s foreign policy. There is only Indian foreign policy,” he said. Shashi Tharoor explained that his comments stem from a sense of national unity and pride in India’s diplomatic performance, and not from partisan allegiance.
Congress Reacts Cautiously, BJP Pounces
The article triggered reactions across the political spectrum. The BJP quickly shared the article from the Prime Minister’s official X (formerly Twitter) handle and used Shashi Tharoor’s words to attack the Congress. BJP spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari wrote, “Shashi Tharoor admits that PM Modi’s dynamism and global outreach are a strategic advantage for India,” claiming it was a subtle indictment of Rahul Gandhi’s leadership.
Meanwhile, sections of the Congress remain uneasy with Shashi Tharoor’s positioning. Known for his occasional deviations from the party line, Shashi Tharoor has previously drawn criticism from party colleagues for his views that appear more centrist or even sympathetic to the PM Modi government on matters of foreign policy and national security.
Shashi Tharoor has also been vocal in recent weeks regarding India-Pakistan tensions, making statements that have differed from the party’s narrative. Following the Pahalgam attack and Donald Trump’s comments on mediating peace, Shashi Tharoor emphasized the importance of diplomatic efforts, rather than adopting a combative political tone.
In defending his stance, Shashi Tharoor noted that he made similar arguments more than a decade ago when he was chairman of the External Affairs Committee in Parliament. He argued that appreciating positive steps taken by the government in the international arena should not be equated with party disloyalty.
His remarks also underscore a broader tension within Indian politics—how to balance bipartisan support for foreign policy with sharp party divides on domestic issues. Shashi Tharoor’s assertion that his words were “a statement of national unity” reflect this underlying challenge.
While the Congress party has not issued an official statement regarding Shashi Tharoor’s article, the friction within the party is evident. As India’s foreign policy continues to be a point of both pride and political contention, voices like Shashi Tharoor’s highlight the difficulty in maintaining ideological alignment within a diverse and evolving opposition landscape.
