Pawan Khera took up the mantle to chastise his senior colleague. His message, though sarcastic, conveyed the party’s stern stance on Tharoor, drawing a sharp response from the MP.
A global issue, support for Prime Minister Narendra Modi, then reciprocal sniping — this peculiar trajectory has characterised Shashi Tharoor and the Congress’ relationship on several occasions over the past two years. The MP’s endorsement of PM Modi’s G7 message on the safety of Indian sailors has added to this acrimony. The Congress is upset, and it hasn’t minced words in making its displeasure clear.
Pawan Khera took up the mantle to chastise his senior colleague. In a dig at Tharoor, he wrote, “My senior colleague Dr Shashi Tharoor’s admiration for PM Modi appears to have transcended the limitations of the physical world. He now seems capable of hearing what Modi doesn’t even say”.
“Tharoor ji somehow heard forceful assertions, robust pushback, and uncompromising diplomacy that never made it into the official record. Perhaps the rest of us are constrained by ordinary human senses,” he added.
My senior colleague Dr Shashi Tharoor’s admiration for PM Modi appears to have transcended the limitations of the physical world. He now seems capable of hearing what Modi doesn’t even say.
According to the official MEA readout of the Modi–Trump meeting on the sidelines of the… pic.twitter.com/6U7BFRxAgZ
— Pawan Khera 🇮🇳 ಪವನ್ ಖೇರಾ (@Pawankhera) June 20, 2026
Tharoor, known for his eloquence and iron grip on English vocabulary, wasn’t impressed with Khera’s wordplay.
“For those who believe I ‘heard’ words that Narendra Modi never said at the G-7, I was merely alluding to widely published reports about his remarks,” he clarified.
Unfazed by his Congress colleague’s attack, the career diplomat-turned-politician said he stands by his summary of PM Modi’s meeting with US President Donald Trump, where he had talked about Indian seafarers’ safety.
“I read widely and retain what I read. I have never in my life been accused of misrepresenting or distorting any facts or statements, and I stand by my summary of what I read in the print media about these remarks, which were reportedly made when our PM was seated next to,” he added.
For those who believe I “heard” words that @narendramodi never said at the G-7, I was merely alluding to widely published reports about his remarks. If you want to hear a report, here’s one:https://t.co/dWkVwhWY0N
Otherwise this was Google Gemini’s summary:
“At the G7…
— Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) June 20, 2026
Hours before Khera’s remark, Thaoor rued that his statement had become a subject of partisan politics.
“Frankly, I find it extraordinary that a statement about protecting Indian civilian sailors is being twisted into a partisan political controversy. Three Indians lost their lives. My remarks were about the safety of our citizens and the principle that civilian seafarers should never be targets of military action. If some people are more interested in scoring political points than addressing that concern, that says more about them than it does about me,” he had said.
What Tharoor Had Said
Differing from the Congress’ stance, Tharoor had said that PM Modi made India’s position clear to the US President.
“PM Modi made his point clear both in the public and private meetings with the President. It is important to convey the message that in wartime, civilian sailors on commercial ships should not be targets of combat. They are not soldiers, and that is the message PM Modi conveyed,” he said.
The BJP construed Tharoor’s remark as praise for PM Modi.
“Shashi Tharoor has exposed Rahul Gandhi. Congress leaders are openly praising PM Narendra Modi’s diplomacy! When it comes to protecting India’s national interest, PM Modi comes first. When it comes to speaking against India’s national interest, Rahul Gandhi leaves everyone behind,” said its spokesperson, Pradeep Bhandari.
Tharoor’s tensions with his party began soon after Operation Sindoor, as he was chosen by the BJP-led government to lead a delegation to put forth India’s position. He wasn’t the Congress party’s pick for the panel, but he went abroad anyway.
