Congress MP Shashi Tharoor’s latest diplomatic mission—this time to Russia and the United Kingdom—as part of the second phase of the international outreach following Operation Sindoor has stirred political chatter both in Delhi and his home state of Kerala.
While Tharoor’s growing visibility on the global stage has earned him praise from unexpected quarters, including the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), it has simultaneously ruffled feathers within his party.
The four-time Lok Sabha MP from Thiruvananthapuram, who previously led a high-profile all-party delegation to the United States, Brazil, Colombia, Panama, and Guyana, has now embarked on another two-week diplomatic tour aimed at reinforcing India’s position on cross-border terrorism, with a strong focus on Pakistan’s role in supporting extremist elements.
What makes this development politically significant is that Tharoor—a senior opposition leader—is being backed by the very government his party opposes. Sources familiar with the matter confirmed that the Modi government once again endorsed Tharoor for this international outreach, reflecting a rare bipartisan consensus on issues of national security.
Despite the official nature of the mission, Congress leaders were caught off guard by Tharoor’s departure to Moscow on Friday. This apparent lack of coordination has emboldened Tharoor’s critics within the party, particularly in Kerala, where some see his actions as both independent and politically inconvenient.
According to insiders, Tharoor did attempt to meet Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge before embarking on the trip, but his request was reportedly denied due to scheduling constraints. A senior party leader commented,
“Tharoor thrives on the attention. His critics will continue their tirade until the Assembly elections next summer. But the party won’t take any harsh action against him—he’s too seasoned, too prominent.”
Fallout in Kerala Over Nilambur Bypoll
Before leaving for Russia, Tharoor made headlines again when he publicly stated that he had not been invited to campaign in the Nilambur Assembly bypoll, held on June 19.
“I do not go where I am not invited,” he said bluntly, adding that he still hoped for a UDF victory.
This remark further deepened the rift between Tharoor and sections of the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC). KPCC chief Sunny Joseph responded by stating that Tharoor had been officially named a star campaigner, and his absence was due to “official commitments abroad.”
However, his conspicuous distance from the campaign and the timing of his foreign engagements continue to fuel speculation that Tharoor is charting a more autonomous political path—one that some interpret as being tacitly endorsed by the BJP.
A Calculated Risk or National Duty?
Interestingly, the Modi government’s willingness to entrust Tharoor with a second high-level diplomatic tour—especially to crucial capitals like Moscow and London—has raised questions about whether the BJP sees him as an acceptable emissary to promote a unified Indian position on terrorism.
His role in exposing Pakistan’s complicity in supporting terror outfits like Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed has gained traction among foreign policymakers, with his articulate, multilingual diplomacy offering India a persuasive voice abroad.
Yet within the Congress, the optics are awkward. A section of the leadership sees Tharoor’s growing rapport with the government as crossing an unspoken “Lakshman Rekha.”
AICC general secretary K.C. Venugopal issued a veiled warning, saying:
“If someone crosses the line, the Congress reserves the right to act. But we also value freedom of expression and movement.”
While the comment avoided naming Tharoor directly, the implication was clear.
A Dilemma for the Congress
Tharoor’s situation underscores a longstanding dilemma for the Congress Party—balancing individual star power with institutional cohesion.
As a respected global statesman, former UN undersecretary-general, and author, Tharoor remains one of Congress’s most high-profile and internationally admired figures.
Yet his nonconformist approach, diplomatic engagements that bypass party coordination, and occasional praise of Prime Minister Modi have made him a lightning rod within the party, especially in Kerala, where factionalism is rife.
His involvement in Operation Sindoor, especially his effectiveness in garnering support in the West against Pakistan’s terrorism sponsorship, shows why the BJP is willing to overlook political boundaries for the sake of national interest.
And that duality—opposition MP and unofficial government envoy—places Tharoor in a unique and controversial political space.
Looking Ahead
With Assembly elections due in Kerala and West Bengal in 2026, and the global narrative on South Asia shifting rapidly, Tharoor’s international engagements may become a new template for India’s soft power diplomacy. But whether his party embraces or resents this evolution remains to be seen.
For now, Shashi Tharoor walks a fine line—an eloquent envoy abroad, and a lightning rod at home.