Major political shift ahead? Shashi Tharoor vows to address Congress criticism over Operation Sindoor comments made abroad

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, currently leading one of seven Indian delegations abroad to highlight India's zero-tolerance stance on terrorism, has responded to criticism from within his own party regarding his comments on Operation Sindoor.

Amid pushback from senior Congress leaders, Tharoor maintained that now is not the time for internal debates. Speaking to the media, he said, “This is a time for us to focus on our mission. In a thriving democracy, comments and criticisms are expected, but we can’t afford to dwell on them right now. When we return to India, we will certainly address our critics and speak with our colleagues and the media. For now, our focus remains on the countries we’re visiting and the message we’re delivering.”

Tharoor's recent remarks during an address to the Indian-American community in New York — where he endorsed India’s military response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack — stirred controversy within the Congress. Tharoor clarified that although he belongs to the opposition, he was representing India abroad.

At another diaspora event in Panama, Tharoor highlighted the significance of Operation Sindoor, saying it marked a shift in India’s military posture. “For the first time, India crossed the Line of Control (LoC) to strike a terror base — a launch pad — after the 2016 Uri attack. Even during the Kargil War, we did not cross the LoC,” he said.

This assertion drew a sharp response from party colleagues. Congress leader Pawan Khera posted a video clip of former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh stating that multiple surgical strikes were conducted under the UPA government, tagging Tharoor without comment — a pointed but silent rebuke.

Senior leader Jairam Ramesh criticised the Modi government’s move to include opposition leaders like Tharoor in its foreign delegations, calling it a "cheap political game" done without proper consultation. “The INC will not stoop to the pathetic level of the PM and BJP,” Ramesh posted on X.

Meanwhile, Congress leader Udit Raj sarcastically suggested Tharoor be appointed as the “super spokesperson of the BJP,” mocking his remarks. “My dear Shashi Tharoor, alas! I could prevail upon PM Modi to declare you as foreign minister before your return to India. How could you denigrate the Congress’s golden history by suggesting that before PM Modi, India never crossed the LoC?” Raj posted on X.

This isn’t the first time Tharoor has found himself at odds with his party. Earlier in 2025, he drew criticism for praising the Left government in Kerala in a newspaper column, fueling speculation about his political future. With the Kerala Assembly elections due by May 2026, there has been ongoing chatter about whether Tharoor might switch allegiances.

However, Tharoor has dismissed any speculation about joining the BJP, citing deep ideological differences. In a January 2025 interview with The Indian Express, he said, “Every party has its own beliefs and history. Joining a party whose values you don’t fully embrace is not right. But there’s always the option of being independent. A party is just a vehicle — what matters is carrying your values forward with organisational strength.”