'When national interest is involved...': Shashi Tharoor's cryptic message after Congress drops him from party's list for all-party delegation

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor said he was pleased to lead an all-party delegation to partner countries as part of the Centre's efforts to ramp up diplomatic measures against Pakistan. Tharoor's response comes after Congress publicised that his name was not part of the official list submitted for all-party delegation by the party. 

 

Seven all-party delegations will visit partner nations later this month and present India's message against Pakistan-sponsored cross-border terrorism. In a release, the Union government said, "The all-party delegations will project India's national consensus and resolute approach to combating terrorism in all forms and manifestations. They would carry forth to the world the country's strong message of zero-tolerance against terrorism."

 

Welcoming the move, Tharoor, in a post on X, said, "I am honoured by the invitation of the government of India to lead an all-party delegation to five key capitals, to present our nation’s point of view on recent events. When national interest is involved, and my services are required, I will not be found wanting." Tharoor is likely to lead the all-party delegation to the United States. 

 

However, Tharoor's comments came after Congress released names of MPs it had officially suggested for the all-party delegation. Congress secretary (Communications) Jairam Ramesh tweeted, "Yesterday morning, the Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Kiren Rijiju spoke with the Congress President and the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha. The INC was asked to submit names of 4 MPs for the delegations to be sent abroad to explain India's stance on terrorism from Pakistan. By noon yesterday May 16th, Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha wrote to the Minister of Parliamentary Affairs giving the following names on behalf of the INC - Anand Sharma, former Union cabinet minister; Gaurav Gogoi, deputy leader, INC LS; Dr Syed Naseer Hussain, MP, RS; Raja Brar, MP, LS."

 

Besides Tharoor, Ravi Shankar Prasad, Sanjay Kumar Jha, Baijayant Panda, Kanimozhi Karunanidhi, Supriya Sule and Shrikant Eknath Shinde will lead all-party delegations to partner countries.

India