Tharoor refuses to play partisan, firmly with Centre on terrorism, Op Sindoor

Congress leader Shashi Tharoor has declined to adopt a partisan stance, despite opposition from within his own party, over his support for the Narendra Modi government on the issue of cross-border terrorism. Since 22 April, he has repeatedly voiced strong views backing the ruling government at the Centre, distancing himself from several fellow Congress leaders who seized the moment to criticise Modi and his administration.

Speaking to the media on Thursday, Tharoor said, “Terrorism has to be resisted—on that, the country is united. Even on Pahalgam, the government has apparently identified at least three, possibly four, of the five perpetrators, and they have vowed to go after these individuals wherever and whenever they can. I am 100 per cent supporting the government in making such a decision… To my mind, at this time, the main international engagements—which involved striking Pakistan and Pakistan attempting to strike us—are, as far as I know, over or in pause mode. Therefore, I don’t want to stir up further anxiety. Terrorism is a different matter. You go after the terrorists—we are with the government.”

Although the Congress party had formally vowed to support the Modi government in its actions against Pakistan for sponsoring terrorist attacks on Indian soil, several Congress leaders made provocative and controversial remarks, including Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.

Even after the conclusion of the four-day Operation Sindoor—which saw India targeting terrorist hubs and military installations within Pakistan in retaliation for Islamabad’s escalation through strikes on Indian cities—Tharoor remained steadfast in his support for the government. In contrast to several voices in the Opposition and within his own party, he argued that national security interests must take precedence.

Tharoor, who has had a chequered trajectory within the Congress, has repeatedly praised the government’s handling of the crisis, both in media appearances and on social media. Speaking again on Thursday, he noted, “The government has taken care not to give the other side an opportunity to expand the conflict, in the sense that they have only attacked identified terror bases and launchpads.” The four-time MP and former diplomat also dismissed claims that India had allowed the United States to mediate in the conflict, asserting that it was Pakistan that reached out after several of India’s strikes rattled Islamabad.

2025 India-Pakistan warCongressOperation SindoorPahalgamShashi Tharoorterror attack