Following Operation Sindoor, Shashi Tharoor, a Congress MP who was part of India’s all-party delegation on a global outreach mission, once again praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In a newspaper column, Tharoor lauded Modi for his energy, dynamism, and willpower, describing him as a 'primary asset' for India.
Experiences from the Outreach Mission
Congress MP Tharoor noted in his column, 'Prime Minister Narendra Modi's energy, dynamism, and willingness to engage remain a significant asset for India on the global stage, but it's a force that requires more support.' He emphasized that this initiative successfully demonstrates India's unity on an international platform.
Tharoor further elaborated on the mission's lessons, citing the power of unity, the impact of clear communication, the strategic value of soft power, and the necessity of public diplomacy as critical guides for India in navigating a more intricate international landscape. He mentioned that the three Ts—Technology, Trade, and Tradition—should guide India's future global strategy as the country strives for a fairer, safer, and more prosperous world.
Changing Attitudes Across Countries
Tharoor's involvement in the outreach mission post-Operation Sindoor led to heated exchanges between Congress and BJP. He stated that the mission's primary goal was to provide clarity. Despite lauding the Modi government for Operation Sindoor, Tharoor faced scrutiny from his party.
He recounted that they carefully communicated that India's actions were a rightful endeavor in self-defense, a vital response to ongoing cross-border terrorism, and the success of this communication was visible in the stance changes witnessed across hardlines in several capitals.
Colombia Retracts its Statement
During his outreach mission, Tharoor also showcased India's influence. He expressed concern over Colombia's initial reaction to mourn the loss of life in Pakistan post-Operation Sindoor. After Tharoor’s objections, the Latin American nation retracted its statement because Tharoor insisted there was no moral equivalence between the terrorists and those defending their country.
Internal Congress Discord
Tharoor noted, 'This demonstrated that patient and consistent fact presentation can resolve initial misunderstandings, even intentional misjudgments.' Highlighting terrorism's links to Pakistan was another key aspect of the outreach. Recalling a Washington D.C. delegation event, Tharoor pointed out the embarrassment of Pakistani officials present.
Highlighting Pakistan in America
In his column, Tharoor wrote, 'The Pakistani delegation was also present, and we observed American representatives, including those meeting Pakistani officials, echoed our concerns and called for decisive action against terrorist groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed.'
Tharoor said America’s acknowledgment supported India's argument, reinforcing the legitimacy of India's concerns while diminishing dissonance.
Congress Criticizes Tharoor
Tharoor's statements during the outreach were harshly criticized by Congress colleagues, particularly as he criticized the surgical strikes during the UPA government while lauding the Modi government's handling of the current situation. Tharoor counteracted by accusing critics and trolls of distorting his remarks and emphasized he’s preoccupied with more meaningful work.
His praise for the Prime Minister came shortly after acknowledging differences with Congress's top leadership, yet he played down any significant strategic disagreements with the leadership or the party cadre. Post-outreach mission, Tharoor met with Prime Minister Modi alongside the seven-member all-party delegation at the PM's residence on June 11.
