Daijiworld Media Network – New Delhi
New Delhi, May 17: The Kerala Congress on Friday welcomed the Centre’s reported move to include senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor in a high-level parliamentary delegation tasked with exposing Pakistan’s terror links on the global stage.
In a post on X, the Kerala Congress stated, “At a time when Prime Minister Modi and his external affairs minister have lost credibility internationally, the nation needs a voice that commands respect. We appreciate the government for recognizing the talent vacuum within the BJP and choosing a Congress leader to represent the country.”
The party expressed full confidence in Tharoor’s ability to effectively articulate India’s position; while also helping to correct what it described as the Modi government’s “diplomatic mistakes.”
The move comes as part of a major diplomatic offensive launched in the wake of Operation Sindoor, a counter-terror operation launched following the Pahalgam attack in Jammu and Kashmir.
According to PTI, the government plans to send around 40 MPs in seven teams to countries across Europe, the Middle East, and beyond, with the mission beginning around May 22–23.
Each group, comprising 7–8 MPs, is expected to visit 4–5 nations over a 10-day period. An official from the ministry of external affairs will accompany each team. The delegations are being coordinated by the ministries of external affairs, home, and parliamentary affairs.
Congress MPs Shashi Tharoor, Manish Tewari, Salman Khurshid, and Amar Singh are among those approached. From the BJP, Anurag Thakur and Aparajita Sarangi are expected to be part of the mission. Other parties represented include the TMC, DMK, NCP (SP), JD(U), BJD, CPI(M), and AIMIM. Prominent names include Sudip Bandyopadhyay (TMC), Kanimozhi (DMK), Supriya Sule (NCP-SP), John Brittas (CPI-M), and Asaduddin Owaisi (AIMIM).
Though an official announcement is awaited, Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh confirmed that union minister Kiren Rijiju had discussed the plan with the party's top leadership.
The MEA is preparing evidence-based dossiers to be shared during these global interactions, aimed at garnering international support to isolate Pakistan diplomatically for its continued sponsorship of terrorism.