Congress Nominated Anand Sharma And Others, Centre Chooses Tharoor To Lead Diplomatic Blitz On Pakistan Terror

Senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor is set to head a crucial all-party delegation overseas, even though his name was not among those recommended by his own party for the task, NDTV reported.

Congress leader Jairam Ramesh has stated that on the morning of 16 May, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju had reached out to the party requesting four names for inclusion in the delegations being dispatched abroad to articulate India's position on terrorism originating from Pakistan.

Rahul Gandhi, as Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha, submitted four names to the Centre by noon the same day, with Tharoor not being in the list.

The Congress list comprised party MPs Anand Sharma, Gaurav Gogoi, Dr Syed Naseer Hussain, and Raja Brar.

Despite not being on the Congress shortlist, the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs later announced that four-term Congress MP Shashi Tharoor would lead one of the seven all-party delegations.

Apart from Tharoor, 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 are among the other MPs who are set to lead the all-party delegations to various countries, including the members of the United Nations Security Council.

"Yesterday morning, the Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Kiren Rijiju spoke with the Congress President and the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha. The INC was asked to submit names of 4 MPs for the delegations to be sent abroad to explain India's stance on terrorism from Pakistan. By noon yesterday May 16th, Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha wrote to the Minister of Parliamentary Affairs giving the following names on behalf of the INC," Mr Ramesh wrote on X, mentioning the Congress leaders on the list.

Meanwhile, the BJP has criticised Congress’s nominations, calling them "questionable".

"The Congress party's choices to represent India at diplomatic meetings are not just intriguing - they are deeply questionable," wrote BJP spokesperson Amit Malviya on X.

In another post on X, Malviya wrote, "No one can deny Shashi Tharoor’s eloquence, his long experience as a United Nations official, and his deep insights on matters of foreign policy. So why has the Congress Party — and Rahul Gandhi in particular — chosen not to nominate him for the multi-party delegations being sent abroad to explain India’s position on key issues? Is it insecurity? Jealousy? Or simply intolerance of anyone who outshines the ‘high command’?".

The seven-member delegation will embark on a 10-day diplomatic mission starting 23 May, visiting key capitals such as Washington, London, Abu Dhabi, Pretoria, and Tokyo.

Each team is expected to present India's "zero tolerance" policy on terrorism and highlight recent developments under Operation Sindoor, the military operation launched in response to the 22 April Pahalgam terror attack in which 26 innocent people, mostly tourists, were killed by Pakistan-backed terrorists.

Tharoor, responding to Centre's official announcement, said he was "honoured" by the invitation, adding that he will "not be found wanting" when national interest is involved. 

"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. When national interest is involved, and my services are required, I will not be found wanting," Tharoor said on X.

Also Read:Shashi Tharoor, Kanimozhi Among MPs Set To Lead Seven All-Party Delegations Taking India’s Anti-Terror Message Global After Op Sindoor