Congress MP Shashi Tharoor returned just a few weeks back from a five-nation diplomatic outreach as part of India’s Operation Sindoor, during which he praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a “prime asset for India” for his “energy, dynamism, and willingness to engage.” Writing in The Hindu, Tharoor emphasised that Modi’s leadership is crucial for India’s global standing and deserves stronger bipartisan support.
Tharoor highlighted that the outreach mission showcased India’s unity on the world stage. He stressed the importance of clear communication, the strategic use of soft power, and sustained public diplomacy in navigating today’s complex international environment. According to him, India’s future global strategy should be driven by the “three T’s” — technology, trade, and tradition — to help build a more just, secure, and prosperous world.
A key objective of the mission was to clarify India’s position on Operation Sindoor, which was a response to persistent cross-border terrorism. Tharoor explained that India’s actions were a legitimate exercise of self-defense. This narrative helped shift perceptions in several countries, including Colombia, which initially expressed condolences for casualties in Pakistan but later retracted its statement after Tharoor’s intervention. This, he said, demonstrated how facts and persistent diplomacy can overcome misinformation.
Tharoor also pointed out that during the outreach in Washington, US officials acknowledged India’s concerns about terrorist groups such as Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed, even while Pakistani officials were present. This recognition reinforced the legitimacy of India’s position backed by verifiable facts and consistent advocacy.
Despite criticism from some Congress colleagues for praising Modi and the current government’s handling of the operation, Tharoor defended his stance, accusing critics of distorting his views. He reiterated that his focus was on advancing India’s interests globally.
Tharoor met PM Modi on June 11 after completing the outreach, joining other multi-party delegations who also met the Prime Minister to discuss the mission’s outcomes.