Shashi Tharoor Named in All-Party Delegation on Terror; Congress Rift and Rahul Gandhi’s Absence Under Spotlight
In a move that has stirred both political debate and strategic implications, the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) included Congress MP and senior leader Shashi Tharoor as one of the seven members of an all-party delegation that will represent India on the global stage to build consensus against terrorism.
The announcement has not only raised eyebrows within Tharoor’s party but also sparked fresh questions about the leadership dynamics in the Congress, particularly the role of Rahul Gandhi.
The formation of this high-level delegation — comprising representatives from across the political spectrum — was aimed at sending a strong message of national unity in the face of escalating global terror threats.
However, it has also inadvertently highlighted divisions within the Congress party.
Tharoor, the MP from Thiruvananthapuram and chairman of the parliamentary standing committee on external affairs, was not on the original list of Congress nominees submitted in response to a request by the Union government.
The BJP’s decision to bypass the Congress leadership’s suggestions and appoint him independently has underscored internal fissures and differing strategic approaches within the Opposition party.
Rahul Gandhi’s Absence and the BJP’s Response
Adding to the intrigue was the absence of Rahul Gandhi’s name from the Congress’s proposed list of four parliamentarians.
Despite being the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha — a position traditionally expected to represent the opposition in international diplomatic engagements — Rahul Gandhi opted not to include himself.
The BJP, quick to seize the opportunity, renewed its longstanding criticism of Gandhi as a “reluctant politician.” The ruling party suggested that by refusing to participate in a crucial mission related to national security, Gandhi had once again failed to rise to the occasion.
Interestingly, Congress has often touted Gandhi’s insights on foreign policy as forward-thinking, particularly through its social media campaigns. Yet his refusal to be part of the delegation offered the BJP an opportunity to challenge that narrative.
Congress’s Proposed Names and Party Line
Following a formal request by the government on Friday morning, seeking four Opposition nominees for the delegation, the Congress responded by the afternoon. According to party communications chief Jairam Ramesh, Rahul Gandhi suggested the names of:
- Anand Sharma (former Union Minister, not currently an MP but head of Congress’s foreign affairs cell)
- Gaurav Gogoi (MP)
- Dr. Syed Naseer Hussain (MP)
- Amarinder Singh Raja Warring (MP)
Conspicuously absent from this list was Shashi Tharoor, despite his foreign affairs experience and diplomatic background. The government’s inclusion of Tharoor, therefore, was seen as a calculated political and diplomatic move — showcasing unity, while highlighting internal contradictions within the Congress.
A New Delhi-based political analyst noted, “This was an ideal opportunity for Rahul Gandhi. As the face of the Opposition, he could have used this platform to challenge Prime Minister Modi’s global narrative on terror and raise critical questions on foreign policy directly with international leaders. His absence is puzzling.”
The analyst further emphasized that the mission could have strengthened Gandhi’s statesman-like credentials had he participated, projecting him as someone willing to put the nation above politics.
Tharoor’s Diplomatic Poise
In contrast, Tharoor expressed gratitude and a sense of duty in his statement, striking a non-partisan tone. The former Under-Secretary-General at the United Nations and ex-Minister of State for External Affairs, Tharoor, took to X (formerly Twitter) to say:
“When national interest is involved, and my services are required, I will not be found wanting.”
Tharoor, often viewed as an intellectual and a self-proclaimed “classic liberal,” has, in recent years, appeared to take nuanced and sometimes divergent stances from the Congress leadership. Notably, following the Indian military’s Operation Sindoor, Tharoor was among the few Opposition leaders who supported the government’s actions.
While Prime Minister Modi and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar have remained quiet on U.S. President Donald Trump’s claims of brokering a ceasefire,
Tharoor speculated that no mediation occurred in the strictest sense, offering a measured response that many interpreted as indirectly supporting the government line.
Composition of the Delegation
The full roster of the all-party delegation features a diverse lineup, representing multiple political ideologies and states. Apart from Tharoor, the team includes:
- Ravi Shankar Prasad (BJP)
- Sanjay Kumar Jha (Janata Dal United)
- Baijayant ‘Jay’ Panda (BJP)
- Kanimozhi Karunanidhi (DMK)
- Supriya Sule (NCP–Sharad Pawar faction)
- Shrikant Eknath Shinde (Shiv Sena)
Each delegation, according to Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, will visit strategic global partner nations to communicate India’s unified stance on terrorism and rally diplomatic support. The initiative is part of a larger push to amplify India’s zero-tolerance message toward terrorism on the international stage.
Rijiju wrote in a post on X:
“In moments that matter most, Bharat stands united. Seven All-Party Delegations will soon visit key partner nations, carrying our shared message of zero tolerance to terrorism. A powerful reflection of national unity above politics, beyond differences.”
While the formation of the delegation underscores a rare moment of bipartisan alignment on a crucial national issue, it also exposes the complex dynamics of Indian politics, particularly the ongoing tussle within the Congress and its evolving relationship with national priorities.
Whether the international community views this effort as a symbol of political maturity or as another arena for domestic point-scoring remains to be seen.
