The delegation, part of the government's diplomatic outreach, seeks to present India's stance on terrorism and regional security to international partners. Tharoor's prominent role in this initiative has drawn sharp criticism from several Congress leaders, who view his participation as a departure from the party's official position.
Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh condemned the government's unilateral inclusion of Tharoor in the delegation, labeling the move as "dishonest" and reminiscent of the Indira Gandhi era's centralization of power. Ramesh emphasized that the Congress had submitted its list of representatives, which did not include Tharoor, and accused the government of bypassing established protocols.
Further fueling the controversy, Congress leader Udit Raj questioned Tharoor's allegiance to the party, suggesting that his remarks on the Pahalgam attack aligned more closely with the ruling BJP's narrative. Tharoor had previously stated that "no country has foolproof intelligence," drawing parallels between the Pahalgam incident and the Hamas attack on Israel, which was perceived by some within the Congress as an attempt to absolve the government of responsibility.
Tharoor, however, defended his stance, asserting that his comments were aimed at fostering national unity in the face of terrorism. He emphasized the need to focus on combating Islamist terrorists and their Pakistani handlers, rather than engaging in domestic blame games. Tharoor also highlighted the importance of supporting the government's efforts to ensure national security and communal harmony.
The internal dissent within the Congress has been further exacerbated by comments from other party members. Senior leader Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan urged Tharoor to prioritize his responsibilities as an MP and seek party approval for international roles, cautioning that his actions should not undermine the party's coherence. Meanwhile, the Kerala unit of the Communist Party of India accused Tharoor of seeking alignment with the BJP through so-called "sleeping cells" within the Congress.
Despite the mounting criticism, Tharoor has not publicly responded to the accusations. His participation in the delegation continues to be a contentious issue, reflecting broader tensions within the Congress regarding its stance on national security and its relationship with the ruling government.