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“Certainly, when the nation needs my services, I am available and I’m available for my country,” Shahi Tharoor said.
Congress MP Shashi Tharoor . (File photo)
Senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor on Saturday said that it is a matter of duty and honour for him to lead an all-party delegation against terrorism originating from Pakistan at key international capitals.
While speaking to reporters he said that the nation needs his services he is available for it. It is a good reflection of national unity at a time when unity is important, he said.
“Certainly, when the nation needs my services, I am available and I’m available for my country. To my mind, this has nothing to do with party politics. It’s all to do with what our country has been through in recent times and the need for us to present a united front…It is a good reflection of national unity at a time when unity is important,” he said.
#WATCH | Thiruvanthapuram | “Certainly, when the nation needs my services, I am available and I’m available for my country. To my mind, this has nothing to do with party politics. It’s all to do with what our country has been through in recent times and the need for us to present… pic.twitter.com/1vIJKkMoaW— ANI (@ANI) May 17, 2025
The Thiruvananthapuram MP, who was not featured in his party’s own shortlist of nominees for the task, further said that he had informed the grand-old party after he received the call from the government.
“My party leadership is entitled to its opinion of my abilities or lack thereof, and I think that is really for them to explain. I have absolutely no comment to make on that. I am honoured to have been entrusted with the responsibility, and I will fulfil that responsibility just as I have fulfilled every responsibility entrusted to me in my rather long working life, whether at the United Nations or in the Congress Party…We have a Parliamentary Standing Committee meeting on Monday and Tuesday on various issues, including this particular issue. Certainly, I informed them (the party) of the first call I got, which was two days ago. I also mentioned to the parliamentary affairs minister that I assumed that he would be talking to the party leaderships of opposition parties, and he assured me that he would be. I found it entirely appropriate, as I said, that the country should rally together on this particularly important issue…” he said.
#WATCH | Congress MP Shashi Tharoor to lead one of the seven delegations on India’s anti-terror standHe says, “My party leadership is entitled to its opinion of my abilities or lack thereof, and I think that is really for them to explain. I have absolutely no comment to make on… pic.twitter.com/eOpB5MHWRe
— ANI (@ANI) May 17, 2025
Tharoor, who is also the head of parliamentary panel on foreign affairs in India, earlier today expressed his acceptance of the responsibility in a post on X and said, “I am honoured by the invitation of the government of India to lead an all-party delegation to five key capitals, to present our nation’s point of view on recent events.”
Tharoor’s appointment comes amidst internal Congress party tensions. His public endorsement of the government’s military response garnered approval from the ruling party while sparking dissent within his own. Shashi Tharoor’s assertion that the government acted with restraint and precision contradicts the Congress Party’s official stance which criticized the PM Modi government for its lack of transparency concerning the ceasefire agreement and questioned the US’ mediating role.
What’s The Row?
Union Minister Kiren Rijiju, on the morning of May 16, asked the Congress party to propose four names for inclusion in the delegations being sent abroad to present India’s stance on terrorism originating from Pakistan, according to party leader Jairam Ramesh.
The Congress recommendation list included Anand Sharma, a former Cabinet Minister; Gaurav Gogoi, Deputy Leader of the party in the Lok Sabha; Dr. Syed Naseer Hussain, a Rajya Sabha MP; and Raja Brar, a Lok Sabha MP.
The Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs, however, announced that — Tharoor, a four-time MP from Thiruvananthapuram — will lead the all-party delegation. Other members include BJP leaders Ravi Shankar Prasad and Baijayant Panda, Janata Dal (United) MP Sanjay Kumar Jha, DMK’s Kanimozhi Karunanidhi, NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) leader Supriya Sule, and Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) MP Shrikant Shinde.
Centre’s Global Anti-Terror Outreach
The central government has chosen seven lawmakers to lead delegations abroad as part of its effort to reshape the global narrative by presenting India’s evidence and stance on the Pahalgam attack directly to foreign governments and international bodies.
Each delegation will comprise Members of Parliament from various political parties, prominent political figures, and seasoned diplomats, with the following MPs appointed to lead the seven delegations: Shashi Tharoor (INC), Ravi Shankar Prasad (BJP), Sanjay Kumar Jha (JDU), Baijayant Panda (BJP), Kanimozhi Karunanidhi (DMK), Supriya Sule (NCP), and Shrikant Eknath Shinde (Shiv Sena).
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