Excluded by Congress, Tharoor Accepts Govt’s Offer to Head Operation Sindoor Delegation

New Delhi, May 17, 2025 — In a major diplomatic initiative, the Indian government has announced a seven-member all-party delegation under Operation Sindoor to brief key international allies about India’s firm and calibrated response to Pakistan-sponsored terrorism, particularly the Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 lives.

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor will lead one of the delegations, a move that has stirred controversy within the Congress party. Tharoor’s name did not figure in the original list submitted by Congress, which had recommended leaders like Salman Khurshid, Manish Tewari, Anand Sharma, and Jairam Ramesh. Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh publicly criticized the decision, calling it “dishonest” and accusing the government of ignoring the party’s inputs.

Tharoor, however, accepted the role in the “national interest,” stating that Operation Sindoor represented a “calculated and necessary” strike against terror infrastructure, while also emphasizing the need for eventual de-escalation and diplomatic engagement.

Joining him in the outreach initiative are Ravi Shankar Prasad, Sanjay Kumar Jha, Baijayant Panda, Kanimozhi Karunanidhi, Supriya Sule, and Shrikant Eknath Shinde. These MPs will visit key global capitals to engage with foreign governments, diplomats, and civil society, aiming to consolidate support for India’s post-Pahalgam counterterrorism narrative.

Despite internal political disagreements, the initiative reflects a unified national front on matters of security and foreign policy. The government’s move to involve representatives from across the political spectrum underscores India’s evolving approach of coupling military resolve with global engagement, ensuring international understanding and alignment on its anti-terror operations.