New Delhi, 23 June

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.

"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 22 April, 2025, Pahalgam terror attack and India’s resolute response through 'Operation Sindoor' presented a critical juncture for the nation’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 — Guyana, Panama, Colombia, Brazil and the United States — offered me a unique vantage point to reflect on the lessons learned from this intensive period of public diplomacy," Tharoor said.

"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.

Last week, while speaking in Thiruvananthapuram, Tharoor had said he has differences of opinion with some in the party leadership, but he is not going to speak about them in light of the byelection in the Nilambur constituency. He had said the Congress, its values and its workers are very dear to him.