Senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor has been chosen to lead one of the seven all-party delegations that the Indian government is sending abroad. These delegations aim to brief foreign governments on India’s position in the recent India-Pakistan conflict, especially after the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor—India’s retaliatory military response.
Why This Matters
This international outreach comes at a time when India wants to strongly convey its zero-tolerance stance on terrorism. The delegations will carry India’s unified message to key global partners, including the United States, UK, South Africa, Japan, and Gulf nations.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju emphasized unity across political lines, stating,
“In moments that matter most, Bharat stands united… A powerful reflection of national unity above politics, beyond differences.”
Tharoor’s Inclusion Sparks Debate
Tharoor’s inclusion is significant, as he had publicly supported the government’s military action during Operation Sindoor. While his support earned appreciation from some quarters, it also reportedly caused internal friction within the Congress party.
Tharoor responded to the announcement by saying:
“When national interest is involved, and my services are required, I will not be found wanting.”
Who’s Going Where?
- Shashi Tharoor’s team will likely visit the United States—a major global influencer.
- Ravi Shankar Prasad will lead a group to Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Algeria.
- Supriya Sule’s delegation will travel to Oman, Kenya, South Africa, and Egypt.
- Sanjay Jha’s team will engage with countries like Japan, Singapore, South Korea, Malaysia, and Indonesia, which have significant Muslim populations.
Each delegation will include 5–7 MPs from various political parties and will visit 4–5 countries.
Full List of MPs Involved
The outreach includes MPs from across the political spectrum:
Anurag Thakur, Aparajita Sarangi, Manish Tewari, Asaduddin Owaisi, Amar Singh, Rajiv Pratap Rudy, Samik Bhattacharya, Brij Lal, Sarfaraz Ahmad, Priyanka Chaturvedi, Vikramjit Sawhney, Sasmit Patra, and Bhubaneswar Kalita.
Notably, Salman Khurshid, a senior Congress leader and former Union Minister, will join Sanjay Jha’s delegation, even though he is not currently an MP.
When Will the Visits Begin?
The foreign visits are expected to begin after May 22, 2025, with formal invitations already issued to the respective governments.
