Tharoor’s Modi Praise Sparks New Rift in Congress; PMO Reshares Article

New Delhi: Congress MP and former Union Minister Shashi Tharoor has once again stirred discontent within his party by openly praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s handling of foreign policy. In an article published in The Hindu, Tharoor described Modi’s “energy, dynamism and willingness to engage” as key assets for India’s global standing. The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) later reshared the piece on its official social media handles, prompting political ripples.
The article comes at a time when the Congress is sharply criticising the Modi government’s foreign policy, calling it self-promotional and lacking long-term strategic direction. Tharoor’s remarks stand in clear contrast to this line and have once again exposed internal contradictions within the party.
In his piece, Tharoor argued that the Prime Minister’s role in external engagement deserves “greater backing.” He praised the government's diplomatic and military response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, calling it a demonstration of coordination, resolve, and control over the narrative.
He also stressed the growing role of “soft power” and “public diplomacy” in shaping India’s global influence, including through technology, trade, and cultural exchange. “India, when united, can project its voice with clarity and conviction on international platforms,” he wrote.
The BJP quickly seized on Tharoor’s praise, claiming it undermines Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s repeated criticisms of Modi’s global diplomacy. Party spokespersons said the remarks confirm the effectiveness of Modi’s foreign policy, especially when the Congress has accused the BJP of damaging India’s image abroad.
This is not the first time Tharoor has publicly expressed views out of step with his party’s official line. Just a day earlier, he posted an old video defending Modi’s regular use of Hindi in international settings. The post resurfaced in the wake of Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s comment that Indians who continue to rely heavily on English should feel ashamed. In the video, Tharoor argued that using Hindi—or any Indian language—with interpreters is entirely appropriate in diplomatic forums, pointing out that world leaders routinely do the same.