Congress leader Shashi Tharoor, currently heading the Operation Sindoor all-party delegation to the United States, addressed the recent controversy surrounding Rahul Gandhi’s remarks on Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the India-Pakistan conflict, according to a report by India Today.
Responding to Gandhi’s comment that Modi had allegedly “surrendered” to pressure from then-US President Donald Trump following cross-border tensions with Pakistan, Tharoor offered a sharp rebuttal. He clarified that India never required any external persuasion to de-escalate, stating that the decision to stop hostilities was India’s own, conditional only on Pakistan’s cooperation.
Tharoor stated that India had already declared its willingness to stop if Pakistan ended its aggression, adding that if the US conveyed this to Pakistan, it was diplomacy—not coercion.
Rahul Gandhi had earlier invoked the legacy of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s decisive leadership during the 1971 war, contrasting it with what he called Modi’s weakness during the 2019 Indo-Pak standoff.
Tharoor, however, steered away from political friction, focusing instead on India’s consistent policy toward cross-border terrorism. “If provoked, India is always ready to respond with strength,” he said, underscoring that no third-party intervention is needed when dealing with terror threats from Pakistan.
“We’re capable of talking to Pakistan directly—if they continue the language of terrorism, we’ll speak in the language of force,” Tharoor added, reinforcing India’s autonomous and assertive diplomatic posture.
Tharoor emphasized the importance of Indo-US relations, noting that the delegation’s purpose is to reinforce strategic ties and international cooperation, not to engage in domestic political spats. He praised the United States as a valuable partner and highlighted the need to present a united front on global platforms.
Milind Deora, also part of the US delegation, voiced his support for Tharoor’s remarks. He remarked that Tharoor had always placed national interests above political allegiance, calling for bipartisan respect for India’s foreign policy and strategic decisions.
While Operation Sindoor proceeds with diplomatic efforts in the US, the delegation remains dedicated to bolstering India’s international position and managing sensitive matters with composure and solidarity.
