Once gentle with his criticisms, Shashi Tharoor now openly challenges Congress, making statements Rahul Gandhi would struggle to hear even from BJP leaders.
Following the ceasefire announcement between India and Pakistan, a portion of the Indian population expressed discontent with the BJP-led central government and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Meanwhile, Congress highlighted the legacy of the 1971 war and Prime Minister Indira Gandhi's image as the Iron Lady on social media.
Shashi Tharoor, a Congress MP, then proceeded to explain the differences between 1971 and 2025, inadvertently embarrassing the Congress party.
As Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge demand a special session of Parliament post-ceasefire, Tharoor is underscoring the ceasefire's significance and necessity.
Congress leader Udit Raj's recent comments about Tharoor don't seem entirely unfounded. His remarks about intelligence failures during the Pahalgam attack prompted Udit Raj to question Tharoor's allegiance, asking if he is, indeed, a spokesperson for the BJP.
Is There an American Intervention in the Ceasefire?
During Operation Sindoor, tensions between India and Pakistan escalated to near-war levels. Suddenly, Donald Trump announced via social media that a ceasefire had been achieved between the two nations.
Congress began questioning America's role in the ceasefire.
Initially, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri briefed the press on Operation Sindoor's developments. Now, this task is undertaken by senior officers of the armed forces.
Despite acknowledging both nations' importance, it seems as if the American President seeks sole credit for the ceasefire.
Suspicion regarding the ceasefire deepens as Pakistan's Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif expressed gratitude to America, while India has yet to issue clear statements. This raises the question: What exactly was Donald Trump's role in the India-Pakistan ceasefire?
Before Congress could receive an answer, Shashi Tharoor outrightly dismissed Donald Trump's mediation claims.
With an extensive background at the United Nations and a tenure as Minister of State for External Affairs, Tharoor's remarks hold weight. Moreover, his argument is strong.
Tharoor refuted the U.S. President's claims that American mediation enabled the ceasefire, stating it was a constructive collaboration instead.
Tharoor maintains that calling it mediation is entirely incorrect. It was a constructive role by several countries, including the U.S., who communicated with both sides. However, India never sought a third-party mediation.
According to the former Minister of State for External Affairs, such dialogues are part of normal diplomatic processes, facilitating communication between the two parties. Labeling it as mediation undermines India's foreign policy and sovereignty.
Why Was the Ceasefire Necessary?
Post-ceasefire, social media discussions revisited the 1971 India-Pakistan war, with praise for Prime Minister Indira Gandhi's role as the Iron Lady. Shashi Tharoor soon responded.
In an interview with news agency ANI, Tharoor stated, "The accomplishments of 1971 should indeed be celebrated. However, it doesn't imply that current events should be overlooked."
Tharoor explained that the conditions in 1971 and 2025 are considerably different. Pakistan's situation in 1971 is not synonymous with its current state, making any comparisons inappropriate. Those were different times, and today's circumstances are altogether distinct.
Tharoor's statements seem to undermine Congress' stance, challenging Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge's demands for a special Parliament session. This also counters Congress' critique of the BJP government.
Recently, Tharoor faced criticism for his revised stance on the Russia-Ukraine war. At a Delhi event, he admitted embarrassment over criticizing India's position in 2022, acknowledging Modi's diplomatic engagements with Ukraine's and Russia's presidents.
Even while welcoming Prime Minister Modi to Kerala and sharing pictures with BJP leaders, Tharoor conveys that his support for the government's positions contradicts the narrative of Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge.
