Congress leader and Member of Parliament Shashi Tharoor found himself at the centre of a political controversy after attending a high-profile state banquet at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Friday night. The dinner was hosted by President Droupadi Murmu in honour of visiting Russian President Vladimir Putin.
A Warm Evening and Internal Party Questions
On Saturday, December 6, 2025, Tharoor took to social media platform X to share his experience from the event. He described a "warm and engaging atmosphere" and mentioned that he enjoyed conversations with many attendees, particularly his dining companions from the Russian delegation. He posted a photograph from the banquet alongside his message.
However, Tharoor's presence at the glittering event was immediately juxtaposed against a conspicuous absence. The Leader of the Opposition in both Houses of Parliament, Rahul Gandhi, and Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, did not receive invitations to the banquet. This omission triggered significant questions and criticism from within the Congress party itself.
Congress Criticises Protocol Breach, Questions Tharoor
The Congress party swiftly reacted to the snub to its top leadership. Pawan Khera, the head of the party's media and publicity department, accused the government of breaching established protocols and democratic principles by not extending invites to the recognised Leaders of the Opposition.
"There is no invite to both the LoPs, Mr Kharge and Mr Gandhi. This government is known to be breaching all protocols," Khera stated on Friday. When specifically asked about Tharoor's decision to attend, Khera's remarks turned inward, suggesting a moment of introspection for the invited MP. "All of us who are in the party, if our leaders don't get invited and we get invited, we need to question our own conscience and listen to our conscience," he said, implying that Tharoor's acceptance was questionable.
This internal critique came a day after Rahul Gandhi alleged that the government, due to its "insecurity," instructs visiting foreign dignitaries not to meet with the opposition leader. His comments were made just hours before President Putin's two-day visit to India commenced.
Diplomatic Significance and the Summit Outcome
The banquet followed a day of significant diplomatic engagement. President Murmu, during the dinner, noted that Putin's visit marked the 25th anniversary of the India-Russia strategic partnership, a relationship formalised in October 2000 during Putin's first presidential visit to India.
Earlier on Friday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Putin held the 23rd India-Russia annual summit in New Delhi. The leaders oversaw the signing of several key agreements covering areas such as:
- Migration and mobility
- Port and shipping cooperation
- Health and food safety
PM Modi announced that both nations agreed on an economic cooperation programme extending until 2030 and would continue working towards a Free Trade Agreement with the Eurasian Economic Union.
The state dinner itself featured an elaborate all-vegetarian menu showcasing regional Indian cuisine, with dishes ranging from Murungelai Chaaru soup to Gucchi Doon Chetin and a variety of Indian breads.
The episode highlights the ongoing political tensions in New Delhi, where diplomatic protocols have become a new flashpoint between the ruling dispensation and the opposition, while also revealing fissures within the Congress party regarding engagement with government-hosted events.
