Congress leader Pawan Khera took a swipe at party colleague Shashi Tharoor on Friday over Tharoor's remarks praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi, suggesting that Tharoor's admiration had "transcended the physical world" and that he appeared to hear things the Prime Minister "does not even say."
Khera questions Tharoor's interpretation
The controversy began after Tharoor defended PM Modi's handling of concerns related to Indian civilian sailors and stated that the Prime Minister had conveyed India's position during meetings with US President Donald Trump. Khera, responding to media queries, said he had not seen Tharoor's full remarks but pointed out that the official India-US joint statement did not mention the deaths of three Indian sailors in the Gulf of Oman or related issues.
"Shashi Tharoor seems to have developed an ability to hear what PM Modi does not even say. His admiration has transcended the physical world," Khera said, according to PTI. He added that the joint statement from the Modi-Trump meet was silent on the sailors' deaths, raising questions about Tharoor's claims.
Tharoor hits back
Tharoor later responded on X, saying his comments were being misinterpreted. "My focus was on protecting civilian lives and ensuring that the government takes up such issues at the highest level. Concern for Indian citizens should not become a political issue," he wrote. He stressed that his remarks were about the substance of the discussions, not the joint statement wording.
Tharoor had earlier told a news channel that PM Modi had "forcefully raised" the issue of Indian sailors with Trump and that the Prime Minister's efforts should be acknowledged. The Congress MP's defense of Modi drew sharp reactions from within his own party, with Khera leading the charge.
Background of the row
The three Indian sailors died in an incident in the Gulf of Oman in May, sparking concerns in India. The opposition had criticized the government for not securing a mention of the issue in the joint statement issued after the Modi-Trump summit. Tharoor's comments were seen as a break from the party line, leading to Khera's public rebuke.
The incident highlights internal tensions within the Congress party over how to respond to the Modi government's foreign policy. While some leaders advocate for a more aggressive stance, others like Tharoor have occasionally praised the government's efforts on specific issues.
