Shashi Tharoor Clarifies Remarks on Surgical Strikes Amid Party Backlash

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has issued a clarification following internal party criticism over his recent comments regarding India’s surgical strikes. Speaking from Panama City, where he is leading a multi-party delegation on global counter-terrorism outreach, Tharoor had said that India crossed the Line of Control (LoC) “for the first time” under the Modi government in 2016 after the Uri attack.

Tharoor’s remarks drew sharp responses from Congress colleagues, who pointed out that multiple surgical strikes had also occurred during the UPA era. Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera and senior leaders like Jairam Ramesh highlighted past operations under former PM Manmohan Singh’s tenure, emphasizing the party’s legacy on national security.

In response, Tharoor clarified that his comments referred solely to Indian reprisals for terrorist attacks, not previous wars. “I was clearly and explicitly speaking only about responses to terrorist attacks,” he posted on X, adding that prior responses were more restrained due to India’s respect for international borders.

He dismissed the criticism, calling it a distortion of his words. “Critics and trolls are welcome to misinterpret me; I genuinely have better things to do,” Tharoor remarked.

The episode has further exposed tensions within the Congress, particularly after Tharoor accepted the Centre’s invitation to represent India globally under Operation Sindoor. Congress leader Udit Raj went as far as accusing Tharoor of dishonesty and disrespecting the party’s historic contributions.