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Congress leader Shashi Tharoor said dynastic politics across parties undermines governance and democracy in India.

Shashi Tharoor warns dynastic politics threatens Indian democracy, calls for meritocracy

Congress leader Shashi Tharoor said dynastic politics across parties undermines governance and democracy in India.

Senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor has said that dynastic politics across the political spectrum poses a "grave threat" to Indian democracy and asserted it is high time that India traded "dynasty for meritocracy".
He said that when political power is determined by lineage rather than ability, commitment or grassroots engagement, the quality of governance suffers.
In an article for international media organisation Project Syndicate, the Thiruvananthapuram MP pointed out that while the Nehru-Gandhi family is associated with the Congress, dynastic succession prevails across the political spectrum.
Tharoor's remarks come weeks after the row over his comments on the India-Pakistan conflict and the diplomatic outreach after the Pahalgam attack. His comments were at variance with the Congress stand and many party leaders took a swipe at him, questioning his intentions.
In the article titled 'Indian Politics Are a Family Business', Tharoor said that for decades, one family has towered over Indian politics and the influence of the Nehru-Gandhi dynasty -- including independent India's first prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru, prime ministers Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi, and current opposition leader Rahul Gandhi and MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra -- is bound up with the history of India's struggle for freedom.
"But it has also cemented the idea that political leadership can be a birthright. This idea has penetrated Indian politics across every party, in every region, and at every level," Tharoor said.
Pointing out that dynastic succession prevails across the political spectrum, Tharoor said that after the passing of Biju Patnaik, his son Naveen won his father's vacant seat in the Lok Sabha.
The Maharashtra-based Shiv Sena's founder Bal Thackeray passed the mantle to his son Uddhav, whose own son Aditya is waiting visibly in the wings, he said.
"The same goes for Samajwadi Party founder Mulayam Singh Yadav, a former chief minister of Uttar Pradesh, whose son Akhilesh Yadav later served in the same post; Akhilesh is now an MP and the president of the party. In Bihar state, the leader of the Lok Janshakti Party, Ram Vilas Paswan, was succeeded by his son Chirag Paswan," Tharoor said, citing more examples of political dynasties.
Beyond the Indian "heartland", Jammu and Kashmir has been led by three generations of Abdullahs, with the principal opposition party dominated by two generations of Muftis, he said.
"In Punjab, the Shiromani Akali Dal, long commanded by Parkash Singh Badal, has been taken over by his son Sukhbir. Telangana is currently witnessing a battle for succession between the son and the daughter of the Bharat Rashtra Samithi's founder, K Chandrasekhara Rao. In Tamil Nadu, the late M Karunanidhi's family controls the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam party, with his son M K Stalin now serving as chief minister and his grandson anointed as heir apparent," he said in his article.
Tharoor also argued that this phenomenon is not limited to a handful of prominent families but is rather woven deeply into the fabric of Indian governance, from village councils to the highest echelons of Parliament.
"To be fair, such dynastic politics are practised across the Indian subcontinent," he said, citing examples of the Bhuttos and Sharifs in Pakistan, the Sheikh and Zia families in Bangladesh, and the Bandaranaikes and the Rajapaksas in Sri Lanka.
"But they appear particularly incongruous with India's vibrant democracy. Why then has India embraced the dynastic model so fully? One reason might be that a family can serve effectively as a brand: candidates with built-in name recognition do not have to work as hard to attract voters' attention or build their trust. If voters accepted a candidate's father, aunt or sibling, they would probably accept the candidate -- no credibility-building required," Tharoor said in the article published October 31.
However, he noted that with the literacy rate approaching 81 per cent and mobile-internet penetration exceeding 95 per cent, other forces must also be at work.
"Perhaps the most important arises from internal party dynamics. Indian political parties are largely personality-driven (with a few exceptions). Leadership-selection processes are often opaque, with decisions made by a small clique or even a single leader -- figures with little interest in rocking the boat. As a result, nepotism generally trumps meritocracy," he said.
Tharoor asserted that dynastic politics pose a grave threat to Indian democracy.
"When political power is determined by lineage rather than ability, commitment or grassroots engagement, the quality of governance suffers. Drawing from a smaller talent pool is never advantageous, but it is especially problematic when candidates' main qualification is their surname," he said.
In fact, given that members of political dynasties are likely to be insulated from the challenges faced by ordinary people, they are often particularly ill-equipped to respond effectively to their constituents' needs, Tharoor said.
"It is high time India traded dynasty for meritocracy. This would require fundamental reforms, from imposing legally mandated term limits to requiring meaningful internal party elections, together with a concerted effort to educate and empower the electorate to choose leaders based on merit," Tharoor said.
As long as Indian politics remain a family enterprise, the true promise of democracy -- 'government of the people, by the people, for the people' -- cannot be fully realised, he said.

Shah Rukh Khan responds humorously to Shashi Tharoor’s congratulatory post, sparking a vocabulary lesson with words like "magniloquent" and "sesquipedalian" after winning the National Award for "Jawan".

Shah Rukh Khan's Humorous Reply to Shashi Tharoor's Wishes

Witty Exchange: Shah Rukh Khan & Shashi Tharoor

Shah Rukh Khan responds humorously to Shashi Tharoor&rsquo;s congratulatory post, sparking a vocabulary lesson with words like "magniloquent" and "sesquipedalian" after winning the National Award for "Jawan".

Wordsmith-politician Shashi Tharoor chose to keep it simple in his congratulations to Shah Rukh Khan for his National Award win but not the superstar who went the whole hog in his response and had his X readers reaching out for the dictionary.
The tables were turned as it were.
"A National Treasure wins a National Award. Congratulations @iamsrk," Tharoor wrote on X in response to Shah Rukh bagging the National Award for his 2023 film "Jawan".
&nbsp;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
A National Treasure wins a National Award! Congratulations <a href="https://twitter.com/iamsrk?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@iamsrk</a> ! <a href="https://t.co/rzVafQo8Bu">https://t.co/rzVafQo8Bu</a>
&mdash; Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) <a href="https://twitter.com/ShashiTharoor/status/1952043538331603046?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 3, 2025</a></blockquote>
&nbsp;
&nbsp;
"Thank you for the simple praise Mr Tharoor... would not have understood something more magniloquent and sesquipedalian...ha ha," the superstar wrote back early Monday, tongue firmly in cheek as he added some words to our lexicon. 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Thank u for the simple praise Mr Tharoor&hellip; would not have understood something more magniloquent and sesquipedalian&hellip; ha ha <a href="https://t.co/GHAhyCYT5S">https://t.co/GHAhyCYT5S</a>
&mdash; Shah Rukh Khan (@iamsrk) <a href="https://twitter.com/iamsrk/status/1952087253787779450?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 3, 2025</a></blockquote>
&nbsp;
&nbsp;
The Oxford dictionary defines magniloquent as 'using high-flown or bombastic language' and sesquipedalian as 'of many syllables'.
Tharoor's comments often leave even those well-versed with English scratching their heads. Today, was clearly Shah Rukh's turn.
He has been on a thanking spree ever since the announcement of his first National Award on Friday. He shares the award with Vikrant Massey for "12th Fail".
When wife Gauri congratulated her favourites -- Rani Mukerji, Karan Johar and Shah Rukh -- for winning the National Film Awards, Shah Rukh replied, "Please brag about me to me when we sit for dinner tonight... thanks for producing the film." Mukerji got the award for her performance in "Mrs Chatterjee vs Norway". Karan Johar's "Rocky and Rani Kii Prem Kahani" was adjudged the best popular film providing wholesome entertainment.
To his co-star and friend of decades, Juhi Chawla, Shah Rukh simply wrote, "Thank you @iam_juhi... I have learned from the best. You have been an integral part of my journey. Big hugs!!" To his friend Viveck Vaswani, Shah Rukh said, "All started with you. Raju finally ban gaya gentleman." To his "Jawan" direct Atlee, he replied," MAAASS, MAASSS MAASSS... Thank you for your vision. Only you could do this... In the next song, we will do more steps. Love u." The 59-year-old actor had shared his joy on Instagram with a video on Friday after winning the National Film Award.
"Namashkar and Adab. Needless to say I am overwhelmed with gratitude, pride and humility. To be honoured with the National Award is a moment I will cherish for a lifetime." he thanked the jury, the chairman, and INB ministry as well as his fans who celebrate him.
He also thanked the directors he has worked with since 2023, mentioning Atlee and personally thanking him.
Shah Rukh will next feature in "King" directed by Siddharth Anand.

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor downplays Donald Trump's “dead economy” remark, says India must focus on national interests amid global instability.

Shashi Tharoor Responds to Trump's 'Dead Economy' Remark on India

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor downplays Donald Trump's &ldquo;dead economy&rdquo; remark, says India must focus on national interests amid global instability.

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has said US President Donald Trump's remark terming India a &ldquo;dead economy&rdquo; was meant to be an "insult" and must not be taken "literally".
Tharoor on Sunday said that when wars are being conducted with the active involvement of some of the biggest powers, and people who are supposed to be upholding world order are contributing to promoting disorder, India needs to be very clear about its national interests.
The senior Congress leader, who was in conversation with Crossword CEO Aakash Gupta in Pune, spoke on a wide range of issues, including his latest book, "The Living Constitution".
US President Trump last week called India a &ldquo;dead economy&rdquo; just hours after he announced a 25 per cent tariff on the import of Indian goods along with an unspecified &ldquo;penalty&rdquo; for buying &ldquo;vast majority&rdquo; of Russian military equipment and crude oil.
Tharoor said that it is a turbulent and unpredictable world, especially with Trump in the White House.
"On Trump, let me say, you can't take him literally, but you do need to take him seriously. He is the President of the US, and the decisions he makes can affect policies, and policies can affect us. So take him seriously, but don't take him literally, not every word. When he says your economy is dead, it's like a schoolboy in the playground saying your mother is ugly. You are not supposed to take that seriously. It is meant to be an insult, not meant to be taken literally," he said.
The entire impact of Trump's tariff policies over the last six months or so has taken the whole world back, and India too had a bit of a jolt just two to three days ago, Tharoor said.
"We are going to have to recover because the American relationship, and I don't just mean the trade relationship, the strategic partnership, is important enough for us to want to make the real effort to make this work. So I think there is a lot that needs to be done," he said.
He added that the credibility of the United Nations Charter and the Security Council is cast into question.
"...the wars are being conducted with the active involvement of some of the biggest powers in the world. And that, again, means that the people who are supposed to be upholding world order are contributing to promoting disorder. In the midst of all this, what does India do to navigate its position? Well, first of all, of course, we have to be very clear in our minds what our national interests are," Tharoor said.
India's first and most important national interest is the well-being of its people, of the Indian people, he said.
"And that means focusing on our development, on our prosperity, on our harmony, on our coexistence with each other, and on the safety and security of our borders as well, which have recently been threatened both from the Chinese side and the Pakistani side. And we have to be prepared to be robustly able to defend ourselves without jeopardising the larger story of our development and our growth," he said.
On the international front, India has to play a constructive role, he said.
"We have to be amongst the rule makers and not just the rule takers. We have to be a significant player so that we are not in a position where others can dictate to us or push us around. Our credibility matters. We are already the most populous country in the world. We are already amongst the largest economies in the world and will soon be the third largest. In all these circumstances, we do matter. We have to be counted. But at the same time, we have to be sure what we want to be counted for," he asserted.
Tharoor said that with India already clear about its interests and how it needs to stand up for its people, the country will navigate all this unpredictability and uncertainty with ability and skill, and said that is what he is counting on the country's diplomats to be able to do.
Asked about the delegation led by him to the US to brief on Operation Sindoor, his meeting with US Vice President J D Vance, the Congress MP said, "We had extremely good and effective meetings as not only was our message well received, but it was almost repeated back to us with sympathy, understanding, and respect." "I had a very limited mandate. We were just there to explain Operation Sindoor, why we did what we did, what the thing was all about and what it was not all about, and the fact that we had to convey to the outside world that if terrorists strike us again, we will have to strike back again, so they better be prepared for that. And those messages were very clearly respected, understood, and applauded," he added.

Congress MP Manish Tewari shared lyrics from "Purab Aur Paschim" after reports claimed he and Tharoor were sidelined during the Operation Sindoor debate in Parliament.

Congress Leader Manish Tewari's Exclusion from Operation Sindoor Debate Sparks Discourse

Tewari Excluded from Operation Sindoor Debate

Congress MP Manish Tewari shared lyrics from "Purab Aur Paschim" after reports claimed he and Tharoor were sidelined during the Operation Sindoor debate in Parliament.

Congress MP Manish Tewari on Tuesday evoked Manoj Kumar's iconic song from "Purab aur Pashchim" -- "Bharat ka rehne waala hoon, Bharat ki baat sunata hoon" -- as he shared on X a media report on being "benched" by his party during the Operation Sindoor debate.
There had been intense speculation whether Tewari and Shashi Tharoor, both part of the diplomatic delegations that had been sent abroad to convey India's stand, would speak in the Lower House or not during the ongoing debate on the Pahalgam attack and Operation Sindoor.
&nbsp;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
है प्रीत जहां की रीत सदा मैं गीत वहां के गाता हूं भारत का रहने वाला हूं भारत की बात सुनाता हूं Hai preet jahaan ki reet sada Main geet wahaan ke gaata hoon Bharat ka rehne waala hoon Bharat ki baat sunata hoon - Jai Hind <a href="https://t.co/tP5VjiH2aD">pic.twitter.com/tP5VjiH2aD</a>
&mdash; Manish Tewari (@ManishTewari) <a href="https://twitter.com/ManishTewari/status/1950036871909630281?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 29, 2025</a></blockquote>
&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Taking to X, Tewari shared the screenshot of a media report which was headlined -- "'Spoke in favour of govt': Why Congress benched Shashi Tharoor, Manish Tewari during Operation Sindoor debate." The report stated that none of the leaders picked by the Centre to represent India globally as part of delegations post Operation Sindoor found a place in the list of speakers from the Congress party.
Along with the screenshot of the report and a picture of him with the tricolour in the backdrop, Tewari posted, "Hai preet jahaan ki reet sada, main geet wahaan ke gaata hoon, Bharat ka rehne waala hoon, Bharat ki baat sunata hoon - Jai Hind." These are the lyrics from a song in the 1970 Manoj Kumar starrer "Purab Aur Paschim".
Tewari did not elaborate any further on his views about the whole issue.
Congress party sources on Monday said the party had asked Tharoor if he was interested in speaking during the Operation Sindoor debate in Parliament but he declined and instead expressed a desire to speak on 'The Indian Ports Bill, 2025'.
There has been intense speculation on whether Tharoor, who led the delegation to the US among other countries, will be picked as a speaker by the Congress given that his enthusiastic endorsement of the government's action following the terror attack has soured his ties with the party.
The BJP-led ruling National Democratic Alliance and opposition parties are fielding their top guns during the discussion in the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha.
Opposition parties have framed their public criticism of the government around alleged intelligence lapses behind the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, which left 26 civilians killed, and US President Donald Trump's claims of mediating a ceasefire between India and Pakistan.
Rahul Gandhi has repeatedly attacked the government's foreign policy, claiming that India did not receive international support on Operation Sindoor and has cited Trump's frequent mediation claims to target the ruling alliance. The government has rejected Trump's claims.&nbsp;

In The Hindu, Shashi Tharoor praises PM Modi's diplomatic influence, highlights 'Operation Sindoor,' and stresses national unity in foreign policy.

Tharoor Lauds Diplomatic Prowess of PM Modi

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor commends PM Modi's global influence and energy, citing the success of 'Operation Sindoor' and national unity's role in Indian diplomacy. His article underscores the importance of clear communication and strategic soft power in foreign policy, despite internal political criticism.

Tharoor's article highlighted India's successful diplomatic efforts post-'Operation Sindoor' and praised PM Modi's leadership.

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, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor said on Monday, in remarks that are likely to irk his party and widen the growing cracks in his ties with its leadership.
Tharoor's praise for the prime minister comes at a time when the Congress has been consistently attacking the Modi government over its foreign policy, alleging that Indian diplomacy is being "shattered" and the country stands "isolated" globally.
In an article published in The Hindu, Tharoor said the diplomatic outreach following "Operation Sindoor" was a moment of national resolve and effective communication.
The Prime Minister's Office shared Tharoor's article on X and said, "Lok Sabha MP and former Union Minister Dr. Shashi Tharoor writes- Lessons from Operation Sindoor&rsquo;s global outreach." The BJP took a swipe at the Congress over Tharoor's article and said the Thiruvananthpuram MP has "exposed" Rahul Gandhi. Reacting to Tharoor's comments, Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) national spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari said on X, "Shashi Tharoor admits that PM Modi's dynamism and global outreach are a strategic advantage for India." In his article, Tharoor said, "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." "The diplomatic outreach following 'Operation Sindoor' was a moment of national resolve and effective communication. It affirmed that India, when united, can project its voice with clarity and conviction on international platforms," said the Congress leader, who led a multi-party delegation to the US and four other countries to convey India's stand following the Pahalgam terror attack and the military operation.
Tharoor said the lessons learned -- the power of unity, the efficacy of clear communication, the strategic value of soft power and the imperative of sustained public diplomacy -- will undoubtedly serve as guiding principles as India navigates an increasingly complex international landscape, leveraging its three Ts -- tech, trade and tradition -- and always striving for a more just, secure, and prosperous world.
In his article, Tharoor said the aftermath of the April 22, 2025, Pahalgam terror attack and India&rsquo;s resolute response through 'Operation Sindoor' presented a critical juncture for the nation&rsquo;s foreign policy.
"While the immediate military action was decisive, the subsequent diplomatic outreach was equally, if not more, vital in shaping global perceptions and consolidating international support," he said.
"Leading one of the seven all-party parliamentary delegations to five countries in the Western Hemisphere &mdash; Guyana, Panama, Colombia, Brazil and the United States &mdash; offered me a unique vantage point to reflect on the lessons learned from this intensive period of public diplomacy," Tharoor said.
One of the most striking takeaways is the power of national unity in projecting a strong foreign policy voice, he said.
The very composition of the delegations, featuring Members of Parliament (MPs) from diverse political parties, different states and varied faiths, was a potent message in itself, Tharoor said.
"It underscored that when it comes to national security and confronting terrorism, India speaks with one voice. This transcended domestic political differences, imbuing our message with greater credibility and gravitas in the eyes of our international interlocutors.
"Whether engaging with the President of Guyana or the US Vice-President, the collective resolve of India, represented by its varied political spectrum, resonated deeply," he asserted.
The delegations' primary objective was to provide clarity on 'Operation Sindoor', its rationale, the targeted nature of India's initial strikes against terrorist infrastructure, its calibrated and measured nature, and its avoidance of any harm to civilians and even to Pakistani military facilities, he said.
"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.
"For instance, Colombia's retraction of its initial statement expressing condolences for supposed civilian casualties in Pakistan and its subsequent reaffirmation of support for India's sovereign right to self-defence was a significant diplomatic victory, directly attributable to our detailed and persuasive engagements," he said.
Tharoor also talked about the engagements in Washington DC.
"Even as a Pakistani delegation was simultaneously present, we found US representatives, including those who met the Pakistani officials, echoing our concerns and urging decisive action against terror groups such as the Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed," Tharoor said.
Following the Pahalgam attack, Tharoor has been making comments on the India-Pakistan conflict and the diplomatic outreach that are at variance with the stand of the Congress, which has been questioning the government over US President Donald Trump's claims of mediating a ceasefire between the two countries.
He has often drawn criticism from his own party and jibes aimed at him by Congress leaders for his stand.

Shashi Tharoor refutes Donald Trump’s mediation claims, emphasizing India never sought third-party intervention and highlighting Operation Sindoor’s extensive strikes on Pakistani military targets.

Operation Sindoor: Shashi Tharoor rejects Trump’s mediation claim

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Shashi Tharoor refutes Donald Trump&rsquo;s mediation claims, emphasizing India never sought third-party intervention and highlighting Operation Sindoor&rsquo;s extensive strikes on Pakistani military targets.
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India has enormous respect for the American presidency but New Delhi has &ldquo;never particularly wanted to ask anyone to mediate&rdquo; and no one needed to tell us to &lsquo;stop&rsquo;, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor said, amid repeated claims by US President Donald Trump of mediating in the recent military conflict between India and Pakistan.
&ldquo;All I can say is that we have enormous respect for the American presidency and the American president. All we can say for ourselves is that we have never particularly wanted to ask anyone to mediate,&rdquo; said Tharoor, the leader of the all-party parliamentary delegation which arrived here on Tuesday afternoon and began its packed day of meetings with lawmakers and government officials on Wednesday.
During an interaction at the National Press Club here on Wednesday, Tharoor stressed that India had no real difficulty in speaking the same language as the Pakistanis.
&ldquo;As long as they use the language of terrorism, we will use the language of force. That doesn&rsquo;t require a third party,&rdquo; he said.
The delegation comprising MPs Sarfaraz Ahmad, Ganti Harish Madhur Balayogi, Shashank Mani Tripathi, Bhubaneswar Kalita, Milind Deora, Tejasvi Surya, and India&rsquo;s former ambassador to the US Taranjit Sandhu, arrived from India in New York on May 24, and travelled to Guyana, Panama, Colombia and Brazil before arriving in Washington, the last leg of the tour to convey India's stance following the Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor.
Tharoor said if Pakistan were to dismantle the infrastructure of terrorism, &ldquo;we can talk to them".
"If they take serious actions to show they want to restore normal relationships with us, we can certainly talk to them again without needing an intermediary.&rdquo; &ldquo;So it's not in any way a negative comment about the goodwill of people. During this conflict, as I said, in any case, India didn't need persuading to stop. No one needed to tell us to &lsquo;stop&rsquo;, because we were telling them the moment Pakistan stops, we're prepared to stop." &ldquo;So if they, in turn, told the Pakistanis, 'you better stop, because Indians are willing to stop', &nbsp;and that was what they did, then that's a wonderful gesture on their part vis-&agrave;-vis Pakistan,&rdquo; Tharoor said.
He added that &ldquo;all we can say is that in our conversations, some of these things didn&rsquo;t come up&rdquo;.
Noting that he was saying this in a &ldquo;constructive spirit&rdquo;, Tharoor said: &ldquo;We have an enormous respect for the US, and we have a much more important, valuable strategic partnership with Washington that we wouldn't want to jeopardise over a matter of detail. We are interested, talking at the moment about a number of areas of cooperation, interested in enhancing all of that. So small matters can go by, and we can focus on tomorrow.&rdquo; Tharoor was responding to a question about India&rsquo;s response to the constant claim by Trump that he mediated in the conflict between India and Pakistan.
He was also asked if this is a question the Congress party continues to ask back in India, and party leader Rahul Gandhi commented that Prime Minister Narendra Modi &ldquo;surrendered&rdquo; after receiving a phone call from Trump.
Delegation member Deora said: &ldquo;As far as the political question is concerned, I would like to express my admiration for Tharoor. I've known him for a long time. He always puts country before party.&rdquo; Surya, responding to Deora's comment, said: &ldquo;Absolutely.&rdquo; In response to a question on what role the US had in encouraging talks between India and Pakistan, Tharoor said: &ldquo;I think the US has understood for some time now that India has a very clear position that there will be no talks with a gun pointed at our head. It's not that we can't talk to Pakistan.&rdquo; "India can speak all the languages that Pakistanis speak. The problem is that we will not dialogue with people who are pointing a gun at our head. You're not going to talk to people who are pointing a gun at your temples. It&rsquo;s not going to happen," Tharoor said.
Addressing reporters at a press conference at the Indian Embassy, Tharoor said that every time anybody asked, &ldquo;and that includes on the Hill&rdquo;, if India would talk to Pakistan or if mediation would help promote dialogue, "our answer is very clear. We cannot talk to people who are pointing a gun at our head." &ldquo;If your neighbour attacks your children with their attack dogs and then says, &lsquo;let's talk&rsquo;, will you talk to them until they put away the attack dogs?" Tensions between India and Pakistan escalated after the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, with India carrying out precision strikes on terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir in the early hours of May 7.
Pakistan attempted to attack Indian military bases on May 8, 9, and 10. The Indian side responded strongly to the Pakistani actions.
The on-ground hostilities ended with an understanding of stopping the military actions following talks between the directors general of military operations of both sides on May 10.

An Indian all-party delegation led by Shashi Tharoor arrived in Washington for meetings with US lawmakers and experts, aiming to highlight Pakistan’s terror links and strengthen bilateral ties.

All-party delegation led by Shashi Tharoor arrives in Washington

An Indian all-party delegation led by Shashi Tharoor arrived in Washington for meetings with US lawmakers and experts, aiming to highlight Pakistan&rsquo;s terror links and strengthen bilateral ties.

The all-party delegation of Indian parliamentarians, led by Congress leader Shashi Tharoor, arrived in Washington on Tuesday for meetings with US officials, lawmakers and policy experts as part of the diplomatic outreach following Operation Sindoor.
The delegation, which arrived from India in New York on May 24, had travelled to Guyana, Panama, Colombia and Brazil before arriving in Washington on Tuesday afternoon for the last leg of the tour.
The delegation will meet lawmakers, policy experts and think tanks and highlight Pakistan's links to terrorism and convey India's resolve against it.
The delegation, led by Tharoor, includes Sarfaraz Ahmad (JMM), Ganti Harish Madhur Balayogi (TDP), Shashank Mani Tripathi (BJP), Bhubaneswar Kalita (BJP), Milind Deora (Shiv Sena), Tejasvi Surya (BJP) and India&rsquo;s former Ambassador to the US Taranjit Sandhu.

Leading an all-party delegation to Brazil, Shashi Tharoor reiterated that India is open to talks with Pakistan only if it dismantles its terror infrastructure.

India can talk to Pakistan if it takes significant action against terrorism: Tharoor

Leading an all-party delegation to Brazil, Shashi Tharoor reiterated that India is open to talks with Pakistan only if it dismantles its terror infrastructure.

The problem in holding talks with Pakistan is not the language but finding a common vision for decency and peace, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor said on Tuesday, stressing that New Delhi can engage in dialogue with Islamabad if it takes significant action against the infrastructure of terrorism that is visible everywhere in the country.
Tharoor, who is leading an all-party parliamentary delegation to Brazil, also said his team successfully conveyed India&rsquo;s message against terrorism to the Latin American countries, including to those who may have had some misunderstandings.
&ldquo;This is what we keep telling our interlocutors. If Pakistan is as innocent as they claim to be, why do they give safe haven to wanted terrorists?... Why are they able to live peacefully, to conduct training camps...and radicalise further people, to equip arms and get people to practice their arms and Kalashnikovs...,&rdquo; Tharoor told PTI.
He said the problem in talking to Pakistan is not the language but finding a common vision for decency and peace.
&ldquo;You crack down on this infrastructure of terrorism that is visible everywhere in your country. Then, of course, we can talk,&rdquo; he said.
&ldquo;We can talk to them in Hindustani. We can talk to them in Punjabi. We can talk to them in English. There is no problem in finding common ground with Pakistan. The problem is finding a common vision for decency, for peace. We want to be left in peace, to grow and develop. They don&rsquo;t want to leave us alone. They want to harass us. They want to undermine us,&rdquo; he said.
&ldquo;They want to cut us this whole bleeding to death India by 1,000 cuts. They&rsquo;re not going to bleed to death so easily. Better forget that idea,&rdquo; he added.
On another question, whether India hopes that Brazil, which is hosting the 11th BRICS Parliamentary Forum, may issue a statement on terrorism against Indian citizens, Tharoor said, &ldquo;I think, honestly, BRICS has a different agenda. I&rsquo;m not saying that they may not want to express solidarity. I mean, that&rsquo;s really not my brief...I don&rsquo;t know, and I don&rsquo;t even know if it&rsquo;s in the draft that they&rsquo;re working on already&rdquo;.
&ldquo;As far as the other issues you&rsquo;re concerned, you know, international forums are not our preoccupation. Our preoccupation is honestly our bilateral relation to Pakistan and Pakistan&rsquo;s complete failure to dismantle the infrastructure of terrorism in their country,&rdquo; he said.
On a question whether nations have been recognising India&rsquo;s stance against terrorism, Tharoor said his delegation has been to four nations&mdash;Guyana, Panama, Colombia and Brazil- so far and &ldquo;this has been very clear in all the countries we&rsquo;ve been to&rdquo;.
&ldquo;And I would say in all four countries, we&rsquo;ve had a very, clear success, if that&rsquo;s the word, I don&rsquo;t like to boast of success. That&rsquo;s for others to judge. But we have got our message through very clearly, including to those who may have had some misunderstandings,&rdquo; he said, referring to Colombia.
Earlier, Tharoor had said Colombia withdrew a statement offering condolences to Pakistan for the loss of lives following India&rsquo;s military strikes in response to the Pahalgam attack after his delegation explained Islamabad&rsquo;s relentless support to cross-border terrorism.
&ldquo;And as a result of getting our message through, we have certainly been able, in my view, to come back feeling that these countries understand our situation better and express full solidarity with our struggle against terrorism, which is the main purpose of our trip,&rdquo; Tharoor said.
The delegation concluded their visit with a meeting with Brazil Vice President Geraldo Alckmin.
&ldquo;The visit of the Indian parliamentary delegation concluded on a high note with a meeting with the Vice President of Brazil @geraldoalckmin. The delegation thanked him for Brazil&rsquo;s firm stand against terrorism and welcomed his emphasis on deepening bilateral ties in trade, defence, science &amp; technology, and other key sectors,&rdquo; the Indian Embassy in Brazil posted on X.
The Tharoor-led delegation will head to Washington DC from Brazil.
On a question on the delegation&rsquo;s expectations from the Washington DC visit, Tharoor said, &ldquo;My expectations are that it&rsquo;s going to be a challenging visit. We have a lot of different kinds of audiences,&rdquo; he said.
&ldquo;Judging by some of the information floating around, flying around, we get some interesting and perhaps challenging questions, which we will be very happy to answer,&rdquo; he added.
Tharoor in a post on X said the delegation had an intense day of meetings in Brazil that &ldquo;gave us much to be pleased about &mdash; affirmations of solidarity and goodwill for India across the board, both from the highest echelons of government and from the legislature.&rdquo; The delegation held an excellent and highly productive meeting with Senator Nelsinho Trad, President of the India-Brazil Friendship Front and President of the Senate Foreign Affairs Committee.
&ldquo;Deeply appreciate his insightful understanding &amp; strong endorsement of India&rsquo;s perspective on recent events. Such solidarity strengthens the bonds between our democracies! Brazil and India,&rdquo; Tharoor said.
The delegation also met the new Indian Ambassador to Brazil, Dinesh Bhatia. &ldquo;At the Ambassador&rsquo;s lunch, had the great pleasure of meeting two venerable academic couples who have each held India&rsquo;s flag aloft in the Brazilian capital for more than half a century: Prof Vijayendra Kumar and his wife Devi, who herself taught Hindi to Brazilians; and Prof Haridas and his wide Padmaja, who hail from Palakkad district and have seen my ancestral home on a visit to Kollengode!&rdquo; Tharoor said.
&ldquo;Prof Kumar explained that aside from the diplomats, there are only five Indian families in Brasilia&rsquo;s 4 million population, something I find impossible to believe!&rdquo;, he said.
The delegation also called on Amb Celso Amorim, Head Adviser of the Special Advisory to the President of Brazil, and discussed India&rsquo;s position of zero tolerance to terrorism.

Shashi Tharoor, leading an Indian delegation in Colombia, criticized Pakistan for undermining the Indus Waters Treaty through sustained terrorism, and expressed disappointment over Colombia’s reaction favoring Pakistan.

Shashi Tharoor expresses disappointment over Colombia’s condolences for Pakistan, not terror victims

Shashi Tharoor, leading an Indian delegation in Colombia, criticized Pakistan for undermining the Indus Waters Treaty through sustained terrorism, and expressed disappointment over Colombia&rsquo;s reaction favoring Pakistan.

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, currently leading a multiparty parliamentary delegation to Colombia, emphasized India's position on the Indus Waters Treaty and reiterated the country's firm stance against terrorism.&nbsp;
Speaking in Bogot&aacute; on Thursday (local time), Tharoor said the treaty, extended by India to Pakistan in the 1960s, was rooted in goodwill but has been persistently undermined by cross-border terrorism.&nbsp;
He also expressed disappointment over the Colombian government's response to recent developments, pointing out that it offered condolences for Pakistani casualties following Indian strikes instead of showing solidarity with victims of the Pahalgam terror attack.
&lt;blockquote class="twitter-tweet"&gt;&lt;p lang="en" dir="ltr"&gt;&lt;a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&amp;amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw"&gt;#WATCH&lt;/a&gt; | Bogot&aacute;, Colombia | Congress MP Shashi Tharoor says, &amp;quot;We were a little disappointed in the reaction of the Colombian government, which apparently expressed heartfelt condolences on the loss of lives in Pakistan after the Indian strikes, rather than sympathising with the&hellip; &lt;a href="https://t.co/AgpOMpNpSt"&gt;pic.twitter.com/AgpOMpNpSt&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&amp;mdash; ANI (@ANI) &lt;a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1928250010443075925?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw"&gt;May 30, 2025&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/blockquote&gt; &lt;script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"&gt;&lt;/script&gt;
"We were a little disappointed in the reaction of the Colombian government, which apparently expressed heartfelt condolences on the loss of lives in Pakistan after the Indian strikes, rather than sympathising with the victims of terrorism," Tharoor remarked.
Turning to the broader issue of the Indus Waters Treaty, Tharoor said India had shown consistent goodwill over the years but that this had been met with betrayal.&nbsp;
&lt;blockquote class="twitter-tweet"&gt;&lt;p lang="en" dir="ltr"&gt;&lt;a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&amp;amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw"&gt;#WATCH&lt;/a&gt; | Bogot&aacute;, Colombia | Congress MP Shashi Tharoor says, &amp;quot;The Indus Waters Treaty was one that was offered by India to Pakistan in the early 1960s in a spirit of goodwill and harmony. In fact, those words occur in the preamble of the treaty; sadly, that goodwill has been&hellip; &lt;a href="https://t.co/DtDkSIHthG"&gt;pic.twitter.com/DtDkSIHthG&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&amp;mdash; ANI (@ANI) &lt;a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1928265124651094033?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw"&gt;May 30, 2025&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/blockquote&gt; &lt;script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"&gt;&lt;/script&gt;
"The Indus Waters Treaty was offered by India to Pakistan in the early 1960s in a spirit of goodwill and harmony. Those words occur in the preamble of the treaty; sadly, that goodwill has been repeatedly betrayed by the terrorist actions of the last four decades," he said during a press interaction.
Tharoor highlighted that the treaty remained intact despite wars and terror attacks, but the current Indian government had now decided to suspend its operations. &ldquo;Even though we have had terrorism and war inflicted on us, the treaty has remained in place, but this time our government has placed the treaty in abeyance, which means it is in effect suspended. Its operations are suspended until we get satisfactory indication from Pakistan that they're prepared to conduct themselves in that spirit of goodwill that is provided for in the preamble of the treaty.&rdquo;
He emphasized India&rsquo;s role as a responsible upper riparian state. &ldquo;We are very conscious that we have been a generous neighbour when it comes to the operation of the treaty. We are in an upper riparian state. We have given Pakistan very generously the waters that they are entitled to under the treaty, and we have not even used all the waters we are entitled to under the treaty. But the time for acting based on goodwill unilaterally is frankly no longer with us...&rdquo;
Signed in 1960 and brokered by the World Bank, the Indus Waters Treaty governs the distribution of the Indus River system between India and Pakistan. Despite multiple wars and diplomatic tensions, the treaty has largely withstood the test of time&mdash;until recent escalations in terrorism-related hostilities raised questions about its future.
Tharoor also addressed India&rsquo;s response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, asserting that the country had no choice but to take decisive action. &ldquo;India suffered a grievous terrorist attack on the 22nd of April... When this happened, of course, the world rose up to condemn the terrorist attack, but that was as far as it went. There was no action taken, not even by the country where these people had emerged from, Pakistan. Nobody was arrested, and there was no attempt at any prosecution. India decided that this kind of outrage could not go unpunished. On May 7, India chose to strike against known terror bases and launch pads.&rdquo;
He also underlined the depth of Pakistan&rsquo;s alleged complicity with terrorist groups. &ldquo;There (in Pakistan) was a well-publicised funeral of one of the terrorists on the sanctions list. That funeral was attended by uniformed senior military and police personnel from Pakistan. That is the extent of complicity that we are seeing between the terrorists who perpetrate crimes of this nature and those who finance, guide, train, arm, and equip them and do provide them safe haven to continue their training and their other awful deeds.&rdquo;
The Indian delegation to Colombia, led by Tharoor, comprises parliamentarians from across the political spectrum, including Shambhavi Chaudhary (Lok Janshakti Party), Sarfaraz Ahmed (Jharkhand Mukti Morcha), G M Harish Balayogi (Telugu Desam Party), Shashank Mani Tripathi, Tejaswi Surya, Bhubaneswar Kalita (all from BJP), Mallikarjun Devda (Shiv Sena), Shiv Sena MP Milind Deora, and former Indian Ambassador to the US Taranjit Singh Sandhu.

The BJP has accused Congress leader Udit Raj of attacking Shashi Tharoor on Rahul Gandhi’s instructions, claiming Tharoor prioritized national interest over party politics during a global campaign exposing Pakistan.

Udit Raj targeting Tharoor at Rahul Gandhi's behest for keeping national interest above party: BJP

The BJP has accused Congress leader Udit Raj of attacking Shashi Tharoor on Rahul Gandhi&rsquo;s instructions, claiming Tharoor prioritized national interest over party politics during a global campaign exposing Pakistan.

Udit Raj targeting Tharoor at Rahul Gandhi's behest for keeping national interest above party: BJP
The BJP on Wednesday alleged that Congress leader Udit Raj has been attacking his party colleague Shashi Tharoor at the behest of Rahul Gandhi because the Kerala MP kept national interest above his party and the Gandhi family when it came to exposing Pakistan at the international forum.
This came after Udit Raj slammed Tharoor, who is leading a multi-party delegation to five countries after Operation Sindoor, for his reported remarks at an event in Panama that India breached the Line of Control for the first time during the 2016 surgical strike on a terror base.
Raj said Tharoor should immediately be made the "super spokesperson of the BJP" and accused him of denigrating Congress' history.
Union Minister Kiren Rijiju slammed the Congress over Raj&rsquo;s remarks and asked if it is forbidden in the party to speak for the country.
&nbsp;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
कांग्रेस का हाथ किसके साथ? क्या कांग्रेस पार्टी में देश के लिए बोलना मना है? We Indians must speak in one voice in crucial time at least !! <a href="https://t.co/tabXcGSm98">pic.twitter.com/tabXcGSm98</a>
&mdash; Kiren Rijiju (@KirenRijiju) <a href="https://twitter.com/KirenRijiju/status/1927720167569535002?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 28, 2025</a></blockquote>
&nbsp;
&nbsp;
&ldquo;Congress ka haath kiske sath? Kya Congress party mein desh ke liye bolna mana hai? (Who is the Congress supporting? Is it forbidden to speak for the country in the Congress party?&rdquo; Rijiju wrote on X in Hindi.
&nbsp;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
What does the Congress party want &amp; How much they really care for the country? Should the Indian MPs go to foreign nation and speak against India and its Prime Minister? There&rsquo;s limit to political desperation! <a href="https://t.co/JiuYqpW2tN">https://t.co/JiuYqpW2tN</a>
&mdash; Kiren Rijiju (@KirenRijiju) <a href="https://twitter.com/KirenRijiju/status/1927750472384893210?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 28, 2025</a></blockquote>
&nbsp;
&ldquo;We Indians must speak in one voice in crucial time at least,&rdquo; he added.
BJP national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla alleged the Congress has deployed Udit Raj to attack Tharoor at the behest of Gandhi at a time when a multi-party Indian delegation, led by the Congress MP, is abroad to expose Pakistan at the international forum.
He said the Congress, "which is launching missiles at its own leader", won&rsquo;t say a word against Pakistan.
&ldquo;Shashi Tharoor is being attacked at the behest of Rahul Gandhi because Shashi Tharoor kept India first not (Gandhi) family. He talked about national interest, not his party&rsquo;s interest. He is being attacked because he kept national policy above the vote bank (politics)," Poonawalla told PTI.
The Congress, which asserted in the all-party meeting that it is with the country and Indian armed forces on the issue, has continuously been displaying double standards in its behaviour, he charged.
The BJP spokesperson referred to the recent statements of Gandhi and other Congress leaders, including party president Mallikarjun Kahrage&rsquo;s &ldquo;chut-put yudh&lsquo; (sporadic skirmish) remark on &lsquo;Operation Sindoor&rsquo;, and alleged that the opposition party is engaged in giving &ldquo;clean chit&rdquo; to Pakistan on the April 22 Pahalgam terror strike.
&ldquo;Today, the Congress, while talking like Pakistan&rsquo;s DG ISPR (Ahmed Sharif Choudhry), is launching missiles at its own leader (Shashi Tharoor). It won&rsquo;t say a word against Pakistan. It will give clean chit to Pakistan,&rdquo; Poonawalla charged.&nbsp;

An Indian parliamentary delegation led by Shashi Tharoor visits Panama to discuss global efforts against terrorism amid increased India-Pakistan tensions.

Indian Delegation Tackles Terrorism in Panama

The Indian delegation, led by Shashi Tharoor, visits Panama on a mission to emphasize global unity against terrorism amid heightened India-Pakistan tensions following recent attacks.

An Indian delegation led by Shashi Tharoor visits Panama for diplomatic talks to bolster global unity against terrorism amid tensions with Pakistan after recent attacks.

An all-party parliamentary delegation led by Congress MP Shashi Tharoor will visit Panama from Tuesday to convey India's strong message of zero-tolerance for terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.
The delegation will reach here from Guyana.
During the three-day visit, the delegation will interact with Panamanian leadership and key interlocutors from the media, strategic community, Indian community and diaspora, and friends of India in Panama, the Embassy of India in Panama, Nicaragua and Costa Rica posted on X.
It will underline India's strong message of unity and brotherhood as well as India's collective resolve to fight against the scourge of terrorism, it said.
The delegation members include Sarfaraz Ahmad (JMM), Gants Harish Madhur Balayogi (TDP), Shashank Mani Tripathi (BJP), Bhubaneswar Kalita (BJP), Milind Deora (Shiv Sena), Tejasvi Surya (BJP), and India&rsquo;s former Ambassador to the US Taranjit Sandhu. As part of India&rsquo;s diplomatic outreach, seven multi-party delegations are travelling to 33 global capitals to reach out to the international community on Pakistan&rsquo;s designs and India&rsquo;s response to terror, especially in view of the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that left 26 people dead.
Tensions between India and Pakistan escalated after the Pahalgam attack.
India carried out precision strikes as part of Operation Sindoor on terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir in the early hours of May 7, following which Pakistan attempted to attack Indian military bases on May 8, 9, and 10. The Indian side responded strongly to the Pakistani actions.
The on-ground hostilities ended with an understanding of stopping the military actions following talks between the directors general of military operations of both sides on May 10.

Shashi Tharoor applauds Tahawwur Rana's extradition, marking significant progress in justice for the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack's 166 victims, as efforts continue to bring all perpetrators to trial.

Rana's Extradition: Progress in 26/11 Case

Shashi Tharoor commends Tahawwur Rana's extradition, marking a significant step in seeking justice for the 26/11 Mumbai attacks victims, highlighting the ongoing quest to bring all conspirators to court.

Shashi Tharoor applauds Tahawwur Rana's extradition, marking significant progress in justice

Shashi Tharoor lauds Rana's extradition over 26/11 attacks, marking progress in justice for the 166 victims.

Senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor on Thursday welcomed the extradition of Tahawwur Hussain Rana, a key accused in the 26/11 case, and said everyone associated with the conspiracy of the Mumbai terror attacks must face the court of justice.
He also described Rana's extradition as a "step forward for justice".
Rana, 64, is a Pakistan-born Canadian national and close associate of one of the main conspirators of the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks David Coleman Headley alias Daood Gilani, is being brought to India after his last-ditch attempt to evade extradition failed as the US Supreme Court justices rejected his application.
Talking to PTI, Tharoor said, "I think it's a good thing that we have been able to get at least one person extradited. 26/11 (Mumbai terror attacks) was such a horror for our country, in which 166 people were killed brutally. Everyone associated with that conspiracy needs to come before the court of justice." "I am really hoping that we will be able, through the investigation and through the interrogation, to find out more details about what happened, how it happened, how it was run, and equally that this man will be brought to justice. What was done was really terrible," the former diplomat said.
The Congress MP from Kerala said another key conspirator of the 26/11 attacks, David Coleman Headley, was still out of the clutches of the Indian security agencies.
"I think it is important for the people of India that we get some sort of progress towards the closure. That fellow, David Coleman Headley, is still in America. They are not willing to send him to us because of some plea bargain. But we really need to get to the bottom of all of this as much as possible," he said.
The Congress leader said he was feeling bad at this juncture as the victims of the 1985 Air India bombing were still awaiting justice.
"Let's see how much justice we can get in this," Tharoor said.
He said he was "very glad" that Indian authorities managed to get Rana's custody, and said it was a step forward for justice.
"There is too much suffering and tragedy for us to think in terms of a victory, but I think it is at least a step forward for justice," the Congress leader said.
Rana is a Pakistan-born Canadian national and close associate of one of the main conspirators of the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks David Coleman Headley alias Daood Gilani, a US citizen.
On November 26, 2008, a group of 10 Pakistani terrorists went on a rampage, carrying out a coordinated attack on a railway station, two luxury hotels and a Jewish centre, after they sneaked into India's financial capital using the sea route in the Arabian Sea.
As many as 166 persons were killed in the nearly 60-hour terror assault.

Shashi Tharoor shifts from critical to supportive of India's neutral stance on Russia-Ukraine, emphasizing its potential for peace mediation and commitment to global stability via peacekeeping, contrasting with previous opposition attitudes.

Shashi Tharoor on India's Neutrality in Conflict

Shashi Tharoor discusses the strategic benefits of India's neutral stance in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, recognizing opportunities for mediation and peacekeeping roles, highlighting a shift in his earlier views on the nation's diplomatic approach.

Tharoor embraces India's neutral role in Russia-Ukraine conflict

Shashi Tharoor acknowledges India's neutral stance on the Russia-Ukraine conflict, now praising its diplomatic potential for peace mediation and possible peacekeeping roles, contrasting past resistance to military involvement abroad.

Congress leader Shashi Tharoor on Tuesday conceded that he was left with "egg on his face" in opposing India's stance when the Russia-Ukraine war broke out and said due to the policy that was adopted, the country is now in a position where it can make a difference to lasting peace.
Mr Tharoor had criticised India's stance when Russia attacked Ukraine and called for condemnation of the aggression.
During an interactive session at the Raisina Dialogue here, the former minister of state for external affairs said, "I am still wiping the egg of my face because I am one person in the parliamentary debate who actually criticised the Indian position at the time back in February 2022."
The Thiruvananthapuram MP said his criticism was based on the "well-known grounds that there was a violation of the UN charter, there had been a violation of the principle of inviolability of borders, of the sovereignty of a member state namely Ukraine, and we had always stood for the inadmissibility of the use of force to settle international disputes".
"All of those principles had been violated by one party and we should have condemned it. Well, three years later it does look like I am the one with the egg on my face because clearly the policy has meant that India actually has a Prime Minister who can hug both the president of Ukraine and the president in Moscow two weeks apart and be accepted in both places," he said during the session titled 'Waging Peace: Looking Back to Look Ahead'.
Therefore, India is in a position where it can make a difference to a lasting peace if it was so required in ways that very few countries would be able to, Mr Tharoor said.
India also benefits due to a number of factors including its distance from Europe, he said.
With the caveat that he cannot speak on behalf of the government as he was in the opposition, Mr Tharoor also said if it were necessary and if there was an agreed peace between Russia and Ukraine, there would be some willingness on the Indian side to consider sending peacekeepers.
Noting that Russians have made it explicit that they will not accept European peacekeepers who belong to NATO countries, Mr Tharoor said one would have to look beyond Europe for peacekeepers.
"Speaking as an Indian parliamentarian, I don't think there is going to be a lot of resistance to that idea. There was resistance famously when there was a request in 2003 for India to send troops to Iraq and Parliament got together and passed a resolution, saying that in no circumstance, will Indian peacekeepers go to Iraq after the American invasion," the Congress MP said.
"I don't see that happening for Ukraine. I think if it were necessary and there was an agreed peace, I think there would be some willingness to consider. But I can't speak for the government, I am in the opposition," he said.
Mr Tharoor said that with a record of over 49 peacekeeping missions, India's commitment to global stability is well-established.&nbsp;

Senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor shares a selfie with Piyush Goyal and UK Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds, welcoming the revival of India-UK FTA negotiations.

Tharoor posts selfie with Union minister Goyal, UK trade secy; hails revival of India-UK FTA talks

Senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor shares a selfie with Piyush Goyal and UK Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds, welcoming the revival of India-UK FTA negotiations.

Senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor posted a selfie with Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal and the U.K.'s Secretary of State for Business and Trade Jonathan Reynolds on Tuesday (February 25, 2025), and said the revival of long-stalled India-U.K. FTA negotiations was most welcome.
"Good to exchange words with Jonathan Reynolds, Britain's Secretary of State for Business and Trade, in the company of his Indian counterpart, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal," he said of their meeting at an event on Monday.
"The long-stalled FTA (Free Trade Agreement) negotiations have been revived, which is most welcome," Tharoor said on X.
&nbsp;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Good to exchange words with Jonathan Reynolds, Britain&rsquo;s Secretary of State for Business and Trade, in the company of his Indian counterpart, Commerce &amp; Industry Minister ⁦<a href="https://twitter.com/PiyushGoyal?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PiyushGoyal</a>⁩. The long-stalled FTA negotiations have been revived, which is most welcome <a href="https://t.co/VmCxEOkzc2">pic.twitter.com/VmCxEOkzc2</a>
&mdash; Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) <a href="https://twitter.com/ShashiTharoor/status/1894225091149664308?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 25, 2025</a></blockquote>
&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Tharoor's post created a buzz among political circles as it comes amid a row over his recent article in a newspaper that drew criticism from some Congress leaders in Kerala for his perceived praise of the Left Democratic Front (LDF) government in the State for boosting the investment climate.
Tharoor's article in an English-language daily, praising the entrepreneurial growth in Kerala under the LDF government, kicked off a political storm in the state a week ago, with the Congress questioning the basis of it while the CPI(M) welcomed it.
The BJP on Monday claimed that Tharoor's "marginalisation" in the Congress was inevitable after he contested the party's presidential election against Gandhi family "nominee" Mallikarjun Kharge.
The Congress is nothing but a "proprietorship firm" of the Gandhi family, BJP IT department head Amit Malviya had charged.
Shashi Tharoor on Sunday clarified that he did not praise the CPI(M)-led government in Kerala but instead highlighted the State's progress in the start-up sector.

Shashi Tharoor urges Kerala government to resolve the Waqf land dispute in Munambam, highlighting it as a legal issue. He also responds to RSS chief Bhagwat’s remarks on India’s independence and supports the Israel-Hamas ceasefire.

Tharoor urges Kerala Govt. to resolve Munambam Waqf land dispute, dismisses communal claim


Shashi Tharoor calls for swift resolution of the Waqf land dispute in Munambam, urging Kerala government to handle it as a legal issue, not a communal one. He also responds to RSS chief Bhagwat's remarks and supports the Israel-Hamas ceasefire.

Shashi Tharoor urges Kerala govt. to resolve the Munambam Waqf land dispute, emphasizing it's a legal issue, not a communal one. He calls for swift action to address locals' concerns and concludes the judicial process.

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor called on the Kerala government to act swiftly in resolving the Waqf land dispute in Munambam and cautioned against turning it into a communal issue. Locals in Cherai and Munambam, Ernakulam district, have accused the Waqf Board of unlawfully claiming their land, despite having registered deeds and land tax receipts.
Speaking to reporters after visiting residents on a 96-day hunger strike, Tharoor emphasized that the issue was not a Muslim-Christian conflict, but rather a technical-legal matter that needed to be resolved promptly. He urged the state government to quickly establish the facts and expedite the judicial process to provide residents with their land rights.
Tharoor also addressed recent comments by RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, who stated that India achieved "true independence" after the consecration of the Ram temple. Tharoor disagreed, asserting that India&rsquo;s independence was the result of countless sacrifices by freedom fighters, including Mahatma Gandhi, and should not be belittled in political discussions.
Finally, Tharoor welcomed the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, emphasizing the need for lasting peace in the region. &nbsp;

World mourns Ustad Zakir Hussain, legendary tabla virtuoso, dead at 73. Celebrated for fusing Indian classical music globally, his legacy lives on through accolades, inspiring future generations despite his passing.

Ustad Zakir Hussain: Legendary Tabla Maestro Remembered

The music world mourns Ustad Zakir Hussain, legendary tabla virtuoso, who passed away at 73. Bridging global musical traditions, his award-winning career and charismatic performances left an indelible impact on audiences worldwide.

Ustad Zakir Hussain, the legendary tabla maestro, passed away at 73. Tributes from leaders, industrialists, and celebrities poured in, praising his immense contribution to music. PM Modi called him a cultural ambassador whose legacy will inspire generations.

The world of music and art has lost a legend with the passing of Ustad Zakir Hussain, the renowned tabla maestro and Grammy Award winner, who died on Sunday at the age of 73 in a San Francisco hospital. His death, attributed to heart-related issues, has left a profound void in the music community. Politicians, industrialists, and admirers from around the world have come forward to express their condolences, calling it an "irreparable loss" to India&rsquo;s cultural heritage.&nbsp;
Zakir Hussain's passing has resonated deeply, with many describing him as a cultural ambassador whose rhythms bridged continents and generations.&nbsp;
 Prime Minister Narendra Modi also paid a heartfelt tribute to Ustad Zakir Hussain, acknowledging his immense contribution to Indian music and the global cultural landscape. In his message, Modi expressed deep sorrow over the loss of the tabla maestro, calling his passing an irreplaceable loss for the world of music.&nbsp;
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Deeply saddened by the passing of the legendary tabla maestro, Ustad Zakir Hussain Ji. He will be remembered as a true genius who revolutionized the world of Indian classical music. He also brought the tabla to the global stage, captivating millions with his unparalleled rhythm.&hellip;
&mdash; Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/1868544110367560025?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 16, 2024</a></blockquote>
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Union Minister Nitin Gadkari mourned his loss, describing it as "an irreparable loss to the country's art and music sector." He paid tribute to Hussain&rsquo;s unwavering dedication to his craft, recognizing his monumental contribution to Indian and global music. "His dedication to art will always be remembered," Gadkari wrote, expressing sympathy for Hussain's family and fans.&nbsp;
Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi also expressed his sorrow, stating that Hussain&rsquo;s death was a significant loss for the music world. "His legacy will always remain alive in our memories," Gandhi said in his tribute. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge echoed similar sentiments, referring to Hussain as a musical genius who brought India's rich cultural heritage to the world. "His mesmerizing rhythms bridged borders and generations," Kharge wrote, acknowledging Hussain&rsquo;s extraordinary international collaborations and honors.&nbsp;
Industrialists also joined in mourning the maestro&rsquo;s passing. Gautam Adani, Chairman of the Adani Group, expressed that the world had lost a rhythm that could never be replaced, with Hussain's tabla beats forever echoing in the soul of India. "His legacy is an eternal taal," Adani remarked. Anand Mahindra, Chairman of the Mahindra Group, said that "the rhythm of India paused today," paying tribute to Hussain&rsquo;s unparalleled contribution to Indian music.&nbsp;
Harsh Goenka, Chairman of RPG Enterprises, recalled personal moments with the maestro, including hearing him perform at his home. "His beats will echo eternally," Goenka said, highlighting Hussain&rsquo;s global influence and his deep connection with audiences worldwide.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath also expressed his condolences, praying for peace for the departed soul and strength for his grieving family. Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav echoed these thoughts, acknowledging the immense loss to India&rsquo;s musical landscape.
Shashi Tharoor, Congress MP, shared his heartfelt sadness, recalling his admiration for Hussain&rsquo;s performances and his presence in the film Heat and Dust. Tharoor revealed a personal connection with Hussain, as they shared the same birthday. "I was born the day he turned five," Tharoor shared, adding a personal note to his tribute.&nbsp;
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Immeasurably saddened by the passing of Ustad Zakir Hussain today. We only met briefly once, but I have always admired his talent, his music performances, and even his screen presence in the 1989 film, &ldquo;Heat and Dust&rdquo;. And we shared an intimate personal connection &ndash; our&hellip; <a href="https://t.co/jjuDgZp5wh">https://t.co/jjuDgZp5wh</a>
&mdash; Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) <a href="https://twitter.com/ShashiTharoor/status/1868347262360793150?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 15, 2024</a></blockquote>
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The passing of Ustad Zakir Hussain has sparked an outpouring of grief from celebrities and musicians also who were deeply influenced by his music.
Grammy-winning musician Ricky Kej remembered the maestro for his "immense humility and approachable nature." Kej described Hussain as one of the greatest musicians India has ever produced, emphasizing how he mentored and nurtured the careers of many musicians who are now forces to be reckoned with themselves. "He was a treasure trove of skill and knowledge," Kej said, reflecting on Hussain&rsquo;s contributions to both Indian and global music. "His legacy will live on forever," he added.&nbsp;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Shocked, deeply saddened and devastated by the passing-on of the legend Ustad Zakir Hussain <a href="https://twitter.com/ZakirHtabla?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ZakirHtabla</a>. One of the greatest musicians and personalities India has ever produced. Along with being the best himself, Zakirji was known for his immense humility, approachable nature,&hellip; <a href="https://t.co/FxDeScxrvt">pic.twitter.com/FxDeScxrvt</a>
&mdash; Ricky Kej (@rickykej) <a href="https://twitter.com/rickykej/status/1868456862276018556?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 16, 2024</a></blockquote>
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American drummer Nate Smith, another artist who had worked with Hussain, expressed his gratitude, writing, "Thank you for all of the music you gave us," acknowledging the profound influence Hussain had on musicians across the world.
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
one time for the legend, Zakir Hussain. rest in peace and thank you for all of the music you gave us. <a href="https://t.co/zv3zvH1Fjc">https://t.co/zv3zvH1Fjc</a>
&mdash; Nate Smith (@natesmithdrums) <a href="https://twitter.com/natesmithdrums/status/1868459456062976206?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 16, 2024</a></blockquote>
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Filmmaker Hansal Mehta also paid tribute, remembering how Hussain transformed the tabla into a celebrated and iconic instrument. "The man who made the tabla sexy, who brought an accompanying instrument to the forefront is gone," Mehta wrote. "His beats will echo eternally, and his presence will forever be missed."
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In his tribute, singer Hariharan, a longtime admirer of Hussain&rsquo;s work, said, "Ustad Zakir Hussain was not just a tabla legend; he was the heartbeat of Indian music. His music will live on in the hearts of those who loved him and his art."&nbsp;
Ranveer Singh, known for his exuberant energy and passion for music, expressed his profound sorrow over Hussain's death. He took to social media, writing, "The world has lost a true genius. Ustad Zakir Hussain&rsquo;s music transcended boundaries, and his rhythms brought us closer to the divine. I&rsquo;m deeply saddened by his passing. His legacy will continue to inspire generations to come. Rest in peace, maestro."&nbsp;
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Kareena Kapoor, who has always been vocal about her love for music, also paid her respects to the tabla legend. In her tribute, she said, "Such an immense loss for the music world. Ustad Zakir Hussain's legacy is timeless, and his influence on global music will never fade. Heartfelt condolences to his family and all who loved him. Rest in peace, Ustad Ji." &nbsp;
<img src="https://cdn.editorji.com/675fe68c42ec0_1734338188.jpeg" width="243" height="285">
Zakir Hussain&rsquo;s passing marks the end of an era, but his legacy will continue to inspire and resonate through generations. His tabla beats, which brought Indian classical music to global stages, will forever echo in the hearts of music lovers, leaving an indelible mark on the world.
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Senior Congress leaders flocked to congratulate Priyanka Gandhi, who is set to make her poll debut from Kerala's Wayanad. The seat was previously held by her brother Rahul Gandhi.

Shashi Tharoor reacts to Priyanka Gandhi contesting Wayanad

Senior Congress leaders flocked to congratulate Priyanka Gandhi, who is set to make her poll debut from Kerala's Wayanad. The seat was previously held by her brother Rahul Gandhi.

Likely to be a fellow MP from Kerala, Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi got a special shoutout from veteran legislator Shashi Tharoor. &nbsp;'No more doubt, here comes Priyanka,' the Thiruvananthapuram MP wrote on social media to welcome Priyanka to the ways of a legislator.
Tharoor also posted a picture of Priyanka, who announced that she would be contesting for Wayanad's seat, which was previously held by her brother Rahul Gandhi.
Similar reactions came in from other Congress leaders in Kerala. The party's Kerala unit on Monday welcomed Priyanka Gandhi Vadra to Wayanad and expressed confidence that she would secure a record winning margin in the high-range constituency in the upcoming bypoll.
"Rahul and the party are designating Priyanka, who is even more popular in dearest Wayanad," V D Satheesan, Leader of the Opposition in the Kerala Assembly said in a Facebook post.
Senior party leader and former MP K Muraleedharan said Priyanka's arrival is a happy moment for the people of Wayanad.
"This is a happy moment for the people of Wayanad. In today's scenario, Rahul Gandhi cannot leave Rae Bareli. His strong work helped the party make inroads in UP again. At the same time, Priyanka Gandhi coming to Wayanad is a joyous moment for the people of Wayanad and Kerala," he said.
Rahul had won from Wayanad and Rae Bareli Lok Sabha constituencies and he has to vacate one of the seats within 14 days of the Lok Sabha results, which came out on June 4.&nbsp;
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Tharoor said that one needs to know when to step aside for younger blood to come in and have a crack at it.

Was this Shashi Tharoor's last election? Congress leader reveals

Tharoor said that one needs to know when to step aside for younger blood to come in and have a crack at it.

Senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor on Friday said if the next Lok Sabha polls take place five years down the line, he does not see himself contesting another election for the Lower House as he believes that one needs to know when to step aside for the younger blood to come in.
In Kerala's Thiruvananthapuram Lok Sabha seat, Tharoor beat Union Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology Rajeev Chandrasekhar by 16,077 votes to register his fourth straight victory from the constituency.
Asked if this election was his electoral politics swansong, Tharoor told PTI, "Not electoral politics but certainly Lok Sabha. I think I have done my bit and I honestly feel that at some point, we all need to know when to step aside for younger blood to come in and have a crack at it." "The Lok Sabha is certainly a very important institution. I have done my very best for my constituents and I will continue doing so but there are ways of serving in public life without necessarily having to do it that way. I think if the election is five years from hence, I don't really see myself at that stage wanting to have another go at the Lok Sabha," the former Union minister said.
Tharoor added that but for now, there are five years to serve and he is determined to do his best for the people he represents during that time.
Asked about the close fight and if the Left made it difficult for him, Tharoor said CPI candidate Pannyan Raveendran took two and a half lakh votes.
"But the other is the three areas that are represented by the CPI(M), the CPI candidate came last and the BJP candidate came first. There are some legitimate questions being asked as to how exactly and why exactly that happened. But you know at the end of the day, a victory is a victory and we are savouring it as sweet," Tharoor told PTI.
On the BJP winning its first seat in Kerala with actor-politician Suresh Gopi winning the Thrissur seat by a huge margin, Tharoor said it needs to be taken seriously as for the first time one seat has gone to the BJP.
"But I must say Suresh Gopi, whom I know well and he supported me in 2009 is not a typical BJP candidate. He went out of his way to declare his secular credentials, appealed overtly to the minority voters in Thrissur particularly to the Christian community, and had this personal quality of being a celebrity candidate, a well regarded movie star as well as the host of the Malayalam edition of the Kaun Banega Crorepati," Tharoor said.
"All of these make him a very unusual figure and it may not be that easily replicable elsewhere. Certainly if the BJP is going to abandon its communal message and go for the kind of secular campaign that Gopi led, perhaps they might do better but right now they have just gone from being a 13 per cent party in keral to a 16 per cent party in Kerala," Tharoor said.

Congress leader Shashi Tharoor shared his favourite big word for the elections and used it to led an attack on BJP. 

Shashi Tharoor pulls out another big word for election season, know what it is

Congress leader Shashi Tharoor shared his favourite big word for the elections and used it to led an attack on BJP.&nbsp;

The sesquipedalian Congress leader Shashi Tharoor has pulled out a big word for the ongoing elections and has called it his favourite for the polls. The word is 'defenestrate'.&nbsp;
Recently, during a press conference in Jalandhar, a journalist asked him to share his favourite big word to describe the country's current mood.
<h3>What does defenestrate mean?&nbsp;</h3>
According to the Oxford English Dictionary, the meaning of this word is to throw (a person or a thing) out of a window.&nbsp;
The Times of India reported that Tharoor said that the people of the country had decided to defenestrate the BJP-ruled government.&nbsp;
Shashi Tharoor shared a cutout of The Times of India newspaper. The headline of the news report was: "Voters to defenstrate BJP: Shashi Tharoor"
Tharoor wrote on X, "Honestly not my fault. A journalist at the Jalandhar press conference asked for my 'favourite big word' for the current situation. As some of you know, I usually tend to oblige..."
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Shashi Tharoor joins Kejriwal to attack PM: 'Modi won't be PM after...'

Shashi Tharoor joins Kejriwal to attack PM: 'Modi won't be PM after...'

Senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor on Sunday said the country need not have to wait till September 2025 as Prime Minister Narendra Modi will not remain at the helm after June 4, when results of Lok Sabha polls will be declared.
Tharoor's comments come a day after AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal claimed Modi is asking for votes for Home Minister Amit Shah, who will be his successor after Modi "retires" on turning 75 in September 2025.
"A new government will come to power at the Centre in June. There is no need to wait till September 2025," Tharoor said while responding to a query on Kejriwal's remarks. Addressing a press conference in Mumbai, the Thiruvananthapuram MP alleged Modi has lowered the standard of public discourse and the language being used by him is not good for the country.
He justified the Congress' decision to decline the invitation for the consecration ceremony of Lord Ram temple in Ayodhya earlier this year, saying the BJP doesn't have copyright on Lord Ram.
"I go to temples for praying and not for doing politics. They are misusing the 'pran pratishtha' ceremony in Ayodhya for politics. Should I surrender Lord Ram to BJP?", Tharoor asked.
The Congress leader further claimed the BJP has failed to hold a substantive dialogue on issues like rising inflation, unemployment, the failure to double the income of farmers income and the decline in the income of 80 per cent of the population.
Replying to a query on Kejriwal's remarks on the "retirement age" of Modi, Tharoor said, ''Will BJP make the exception for one person? Anyway, we need not have to wait till September 2025. Modi will not be PM after June 2024 (when the results of Lok Sabha elections will be out),'' Tharoor cited "compulsions of coalition politics" when asked why Congress hasn't named even a single Muslim candidate in Lok Sabha polls from Maharashtra.
"In coalition politics, a party has to contest lesser number of seats," he added.
He said making concessions in the larger interest of the alliance cannot be called a surrender.
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The Congress is part of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance in Maharashtra along with Shiv Sena (UBT) and NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar).
Tharoor claimed the BJP has failed to give representation to Muslims in the government.
"All Muslim leaders who were part of the Vajpayee era were phased out after Modi's first term (as prime minister),'' he said.
"Allies are standing with us. There is mutual respect unlike in the BJP-led NDA where Akali Dal and BJD have spurned the BJP," Tharoor said, adding that former PMs Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Manmohan Singh ran the coalition governments excellently.
He claimed Modi wants to run the parliamentary system of democracy in a Presidential style.
According to Tharoor, the Congress' priority is to protect the essential character of cosmopolitan Mumbai. ' "After three phases of polling, a change is visible in the air, " he said.
Tharoor campaigned for Congress nominees Varsha Gaikwad and Bhushan Patil who are in the fray from Mumbai North Central and Mumbai North seats, respectively, against BJP's Ujjwal Nikam and Union minister Piyush Goyal.
Voting for all six Parliamentary constituencies in Mumbai is scheduled for May 20.
"I am confident that there will be good results in the favour of Congress," Tharoor added.

shashi tharoor

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