Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, who recently concluded a five-nation diplomatic outreach as part of India’s Operation Sindoor initiative, has once again publicly praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi, referring to him as a “prime asset for India.” In a column published in The Hindu, Tharoor lauded the Prime Minister's energy, dynamism, and willingness to engage, stating these qualities serve India well on the global stage.
“Prime Minister Narendra Modi's energy, dynamism and willingness to engage remains a prime asset for India on the global stage, but deserves greater backing,” Tharoor wrote. He emphasised that the Operation Sindoor outreach highlighted India’s unity in the face of external threats, particularly in the context of cross-border terrorism from Pakistan.
Tharoor reflected on the mission by underscoring the importance of soft power, strategic communication, and public diplomacy in navigating what he described as an “increasingly complex international landscape.” He stated that the outreach helped reinforce how “the power of unity, the efficacy of clear communication, the strategic value of soft power, and the imperative of sustained public diplomacy” are vital to India’s global positioning.
He proposed that India’s future foreign policy and international engagements should be driven by the “three T’s” — technology, trade, and tradition — to realise a “more just, secure and prosperous world.” Tharoor also addressed the political controversy that surrounded his inclusion in the Operation Sindoor mission, which had sparked a heated exchange between the Congress and BJP camps. He clarified that the primary aim of the mission was to convey the legitimacy of India’s actions and to counter international misperceptions regarding Operation Sindoor, especially in the context of self-defence against terrorism.
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“We meticulously explained that India's actions were a legitimate exercise of self-defence, a necessary response to persistent cross-border terrorism. The success of this narrative was evident in the shift witnessed in several capitals,” Tharoor wrote.
He highlighted a diplomatic turning point during his outreach when Colombia initially issued a statement condoling casualties in Pakistan following Operation Sindoor. Tharoor noted that after his strong objection and clarification, the Colombian government withdrew its statement. He stressed that “there is no moral equivalence between terrorists and those defending their nation,” adding, “this demonstrated that facts, patiently and persistently presented, can overcome initial misunderstandings or even deliberate misinformation.”
Another key focus of the outreach, according to Tharoor, was exposing Pakistan's ongoing links to terrorism. He recounted the delegation’s engagements in Washington DC, where US representatives echoed India’s concerns, even as a Pakistani delegation was simultaneously present in the American capital.
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“Even as a Pakistani delegation was simultaneously present, we found U.S. representatives, including those who met the Pakistani officials, echoing our concerns and urging decisive action against terror groups such as Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed,” he stated. Tharoor added that this response confirmed that India’s verifiable facts and consistent advocacy were “cutting through the noise and reinforcing the legitimacy of India’s position.”
Tharoor’s remarks and apparent endorsement of the Modi government’s handling of the situation were met with sharp criticism from within the Congress party. He was accused of undermining the UPA-era surgical strikes by praising the BJP-led government's foreign policy response. Tharoor hit back at critics and online trolls, stating his views were being distorted and asserting he had “better things to do.”
This is not the first time Tharoor’s praise for Prime Minister Modi has stirred tensions within his party. His latest comments come shortly after he acknowledged having differences with the Congress leadership, though he downplayed the notion of an internal rift. Tharoor had met Prime Minister Modi at the latter’s residence on June 11 after concluding his global outreach tour. He was among seven multi-party delegations involved in the Operation Sindoor initiative, all of whom later briefed the Prime Minister on their efforts.
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