Photo Credit: ANI Photo
In a striking display of diplomatic leadership, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor successfully led an all-party delegation that convinced Colombia to retract a statement perceived as sympathetic to Pakistan in the aftermath of India’s Operation Sindoor. What’s making headlines, however, is not just the diplomatic success, but Tharoor’s tone, which strikingly mirrors the BJP’s assertive foreign policy line.
Colombia’s Misstep and India’s Swift Response
Colombia had issued a condolence statement expressing concern over casualties in Pakistan following India’s anti-terror surgical strike under Operation Sindoor — a direct response to the brutal Pahalgam terror attack that left 26 dead. India termed the Colombian response “misguided and misinformed,” as it appeared to place the victim and the perpetrator on the same moral footing.
The charge to correct the narrative was led not by a government minister, but by Congress stalwart and foreign affairs expert Shashi Tharoor, who emphasized India’s right to self-defense under international law.
Tharoor’s Tone: Echoes of BJP?
Tharoor, known for his nuanced liberalism, surprised many with his unapologetically firm stance.
“India has the sovereign right to defend itself. This operation was a legitimate and necessary counter-terrorism measure,” he told Colombian officials.
This mirrors the BJP’s consistent rhetoric post-Uri and Balakot — where Prime Minister Modi’s government established a precedent of “zero tolerance” towards cross-border terrorism.
Diplomacy Beyond Partisan Lines
The bigger takeaway from this episode is how Indian diplomacy can rise above domestic politics when national interest is at stake. Tharoor’s role – though from the Opposition -not only reflected consensus but showed a rare moment of synergy in India’s fractured political landscape.
According to former diplomat Rakesh Sood:
“This is diplomacy at its best – unified, strategic, and assertive. Colombia’s retraction speaks volumes.”
Why It Matters for India’s Global Image
In an era where nations are quick to issue statements, India’s swift correction of Colombia’s narrative reinforces its proactive diplomacy. With Pakistani propaganda often attempting to internationalize bilateral issues, India’s pushback, this time via an Opposition MP – strengthens its global credibility.
It also sends a clear message to the Global South: neutrality in global terror is not acceptable.
Conclusion: A New Cross-Party Doctrine in the Making?
While Congress and BJP remain at odds on domestic fronts, Shashi Tharoor’s BJP-style posture on this foreign policy issue may indicate a new template – where national interest takes precedence over partisan politics.
Whether this marks Tharoor’s evolution into a centrist statesman or just a one-off convergence with BJP’s diplomatic doctrine, one thing is clear: in the global arena, India is speaking in one voice – and this time, it sounded a lot like Shashi Tharoor speaking BJP’s language.
