Aiyar’s Critique of Tharoor’s Foreign Visits

Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar has openly criticized party MP Shashi Tharoor’s involvement in India’s international diplomatic efforts. These efforts aimed to inform other nations about Pakistan’s alleged role in the terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. Aiyar pointed out that none of the 33 countries visited by Indian MPs, including Tharoor, attributed the attack to Pakistan. He emphasized that neither the United Nations nor the United States held Pakistan accountable for the incident, which resulted in the deaths of 26 tourists.

Tharoor’s Diplomatic Background and Government Selection

Shashi Tharoor, a seasoned diplomat with a history of service at the United Nations, was chosen by the Indian government to be part of a delegation to the United States. This decision was made despite the Congress party not recommending his name. Aiyar expressed skepticism about the effectiveness of these diplomatic missions, suggesting that India has failed to provide convincing evidence linking Pakistan to the attack.

Operation Sindoor and Government Response

In response to the Pahalgam terror attack, India launched Operation Sindoor in early May, targeting nine terrorist infrastructures in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh criticized the Congress-led Opposition for questioning Operation Sindoor instead of honoring the bravery of Indian armed forces. Singh accused Congress of being lenient on insurgency during its tenure and attempting to frame innocent individuals under “saffron terror” allegations for electoral gains.

Aiyar’s Accusations Against Global Powers

Aiyar also accused the Indian government of lacking courage in addressing misinformation from global powers, particularly US President Donald Trump. He claimed that Trump falsely asserted that the US brokered a ceasefire between India and Pakistan, yet the Indian government refrained from challenging this statement.