Operation Sindoor Diplomatic Mission: Shashi Tharoor Named by Centre, But Missing from Congress List

KKN Gurugram Desk | In a major political and diplomatic development, the Indian government has constituted a multi-party delegation to counter Pakistan’s international propaganda following Operation Sindoor—India’s military retaliation to the Pahalgam terror attack. However, the inclusion of Congress MP Shashi Tharoor in the government’s official list has triggered confusion and controversy, as the Congress party has not included Tharoor in its own list of recommended delegates.

The move comes at a time when India is intensifying efforts to expose Pakistan’s terror infrastructure globally. The Centre has appointed a team of seven MPs from various political parties to represent India’s position across different strategic global regions. Tharoor has been assigned to lead the U.S. and Europe leg of this diplomatic outreach.

Key Highlights

• Shashi Tharoor named by Centre to lead India’s diplomatic push in the U.S. and parts of Europe

• Congress, however, omitted his name in its official list submitted to the government

• Tharoor expressed honor over the government’s decision and committed to national interest

• Congress spokesperson Jairam Ramesh confirmed that the list was finalized by Rahul Gandhi

• Delegation formed to counter Pakistan’s narrative post Operation Sindoor and Pahalgam attack

• Raises questions about internal discord within Congress ahead of critical global representation

India’s Global Strategy Post Operation Sindoor

The Indian government, following Operation Sindoor—a military strike on terror camps in Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir—has decided to take the diplomatic offensive to the global stage. The aim is to:

• Expose Pakistan’s support for terrorism

• Counter misinformation being spread globally

• Present India’s version of the Pahalgam attack and subsequent military response

To execute this, the Centre has formed a multi-party parliamentary delegation consisting of seven prominent MPs. These leaders are expected to travel to key nations including the U.S., U.K., France, Germany, and the Middle East, holding briefings with:

• Government officials

• Policy think tanks

• Diaspora groups

• International media outlets

The Government’s Official List of Delegates

The list of MPs named by the Centre for this mission includes:

1. Shashi Tharoor (Congress)

2. Ravi Shankar Prasad (BJP)

3. Sanjay Jha (JDU)

4. Baijayant Panda (BJP)

5. Kanimozhi Karunanidhi (DMK)

6. Supriya Sule (NCP)

7. Shrikant Shinde (Shiv Sena – Eknath Shinde faction)

Each of these MPs will lead delegations across assigned regions, focusing on diplomatic outreach and public diplomacy.

Congress’s Version: Tharoor Not Included

In a twist, the Congress party on Friday released its own list of four MPs nominated for the diplomatic delegation—excluding Shashi Tharoor.

Congress communication chief Jairam Ramesh took to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) and stated:

“Yesterday, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju reached out to Congress President and Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi to request names for the delegation. Today, the following names were submitted officially.”

Congress-Nominated MPs:

1. Anand Sharma – Former Union Minister

2. Gaurav Gogoi – Deputy Leader, Congress in Lok Sabha

3. Dr. Syed Nasir Hussain – MP, Rajya Sabha

4. Raja Berrar – MP, Lok Sabha

Notably, Tharoor’s omission from this list, despite being publicly acknowledged by the government, has raised eyebrows and triggered questions about internal coordination.

Shashi Tharoor Responds with a Patriotic Message

Amid the confusion, Shashi Tharoor took a statesman-like position and posted on X:

“Honored to have been invited by the Government of India to lead an all-party delegation to five major countries to represent India’s position on recent developments. When it’s about national interest, I will never hold back. Jai Hind!”

Tharoor’s statement appeared to sidestep the apparent omission by his own party and instead emphasized his readiness to serve the nation, signaling his alignment with India’s global diplomatic interest over party politics.

What Is Operation Sindoor?

Operation Sindoor was launched in response to the April 2025 Pahalgam terror attack, where 26 civilians lost their lives. India retaliated with a precision air and ground assault targeting nine terrorist launchpads across Pakistan and PoK.

The operation was:

• Tactically successful

• Backed by solid intelligence

• Condemned by Pakistan as “aggression,” sparking global diplomatic noise

India now seeks to present its version internationally through this delegation, focusing on counter-terrorism, sovereignty, and regional peace.

Internal Party Politics or Miscommunication?

Tharoor’s inclusion in the government’s list and simultaneous omission from the Congress-nominated list hints at either:

• Internal differences within Congress

• A last-minute communication gap

• Or possible strategic repositioning by the party leadership

Sources close to Congress suggest that Rahul Gandhi himself finalized the names submitted by the party. The message from Congress has been clear: “We will decide our delegates.”

This has prompted speculation about:

• Tharoor’s independent political style

• His strained relationship with central Congress leadership

• Possible friction between the G-23 reformist bloc and party high command

Political Analysts Weigh In

Prof. Anuradha Singh, Political Analyst

“This is not just a list mismatch—it reveals deeper tension in Congress. Tharoor is internationally respected, yet his omission might signal his outsider status within the party’s inner circle.”

Colonel (Retd.) Sudhir Rawat, Strategic Expert

“In diplomacy, credibility matters. Tharoor is among India’s most articulate international voices. The government’s move to include him despite Congress’s omission shows pragmatism.”

Implications for India’s Diplomatic Push

With or without Congress’s internal endorsement, the Centre appears determined to utilize Tharoor’s global image and diplomatic skills to advance India’s case internationally.

If Congress resists, it risks:

• Appearing disconnected from national priorities

• Undermining India’s united diplomatic front

• Isolating a senior party figure with global appeal

On the other hand, if Tharoor proceeds independently, it may deepen rifts within Congress while enhancing his cross-party stature.

Diplomatic Outreach Timeline

The delegations are expected to begin travel in late May and June, visiting:

• United States (Washington D.C., New York)

• United Kingdom

• France

• Germany

• Gulf countries

Each delegation will:

• Hold closed-door briefings with officials

• Participate in think-tank panels

• Engage with diaspora communities

• Conduct press interactions

The Shashi Tharoor episode amid Operation Sindoor’s diplomatic fallout reveals the delicate balance between national interest and internal politics. While the government moves decisively to internationalize India’s anti-terror narrative, Congress’s hesitation to back Tharoor may prove counterproductive.

As the delegations gear up, all eyes will be on whether Tharoor travels, under what banner, and how Congress reconciles internal contradictions in the face of global diplomacy.