Tharoor has been viewed with much skepticism within his party ever since he agreed to head the government's outreach delegation to the US, Panama, Guyana, Brazil and Colombia, even though his name hadn't originally been suggested by his party. His defence of the government's actions have since then only added more fuel to fire. When asked, Tharoor defended his decision to accept the Centre's invitation, pointing out that when he became the chairman of the External Affairs Committee of the Parliament, he had made it clear that he would be focused on India's foreign policy and its national interest and not the foreign policy of the Congress and BJP. "I have not changed my line. When an issue concerning the nation comes up, we are all obligated to work and speak for the country. What I said during Operation Sindoor was my own opinion," he told reporters today. "The Centre asked for my services. Indeed, my party did not. So, I proudly did my duty as an Indian citizen."