Delhi/Hyderabad, June 21 (Maxim News): Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has triggered a fresh row within the party after praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s remarks on the safety of Indian seafarers during the G7 summit, drawing a sharp response from Congress leader Pawan Khera.
The controversy began after Tharoor welcomed Modi’s comments on protecting civilian mariners amid tensions in West Asia. He said the Prime Minister had raised the issue of seafarer safety during public engagements and in discussions linked to the G7 summit, where concerns over the deaths of three Indian sailors in the Gulf of Oman remained in focus.
Congress leader Pawan Khera, however, questioned Tharoor’s remarks and said the official India US joint statement released after Modi’s meeting with US President Donald Trump did not mention the killing of the three Indian sailors. He took a swipe at Tharoor on social media and accused him of hearing praise for Modi even when such remarks were not officially recorded.
Pawan Khera questions Tharoor’s praise for PM Modi
The exchange has exposed differences within the Congress over how to respond to Modi’s handling of the issue. While sections of the party criticised the Prime Minister for not taking a stronger public stand on the deaths of the sailors, Tharoor defended his remarks and said it was unfortunate that an issue involving the safety of Indian citizens was being turned into a political controversy.
Tharoor said his comments were based on widely published reports and argued that the focus should remain on the protection of Indian citizens and merchant mariners rather than partisan attacks. He also said public discussion should not overshadow the need for accountability and safety in a region affected by conflict and maritime tensions.
The row also gave the BJP an opportunity to attack the Congress over internal differences. BJP leaders claimed Tharoor’s stand had exposed divisions within the opposition party, though the Congress maintained its criticism of the government’s handling of the diplomatic issue.
The controversy comes against the backdrop of rising concern over the deaths of three Indian sailors in the Gulf of Oman and scrutiny of India’s diplomatic engagement with the United States after the incident. Tharoor’s latest remarks have once again placed him at the centre of debate within the Congress over his public positions on the Modi government.
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