NEW DELHI — A major political controversy has erupted following the G7 Summit in Evian, France, after senior Congress lawmaker Shashi Tharoor openly defended Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s maritime diplomacy. Tharoor’s public support for the Prime Minister’s discussions with US President Donald Trump directly countered his own party’s official critique, prompting the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to claim that Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi has been undermined from within his own ranks.
The row follows a pivotal bilateral meeting—the first in 16 months—between PM Modi and President Trump on the sidelines of the summit, where India’s economic and human stakes in volatile shipping lanes were a primary focus.
Tharoor Backs Government’s Outreach to Trump
Stepping outside the traditional party line, Tharoor clarified that the Prime Minister consistently and forcefully raised the issue of civilian safety in both public and private sessions with the US President.
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Immunity for Trade Crews: Tharoor emphasized that commercial mariners are civilian workers rather than military personnel, and must be completely insulated from kinetic operations and military blockades.
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Protecting India’s Workforce: Noting that lakhs of Indian nationals man international transport vessels, Tharoor supported the administration’s position that global powers must find alternative, non-lethal methods of maritime enforcement.
A Fractured Opposition Narrative
Tharoor’s statements directly clashed with a fierce campaign launched by the Congress high command just days prior. The opposition party had slammed PM Modi for remaining “silent” during his high-profile interaction with Trump, demanding to know why the Prime Minister failed to seek a public apology or accountability from Washington after a US strike in the Gulf of Oman killed three Indian seafarers.
The BJP lost no time in weaponizing Tharoor’s bipartisan assessment to target Rahul Gandhi:
“Shashi Tharoor has exposed Rahul Gandhi. Congress leaders are openly praising PM Modi’s diplomacy! When it comes to protecting India’s national interest, PM Modi comes first,” remarked BJP spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari on social media platform X.
High-Stakes Geopolitical Dialogue
During the Evian meeting, PM Modi re-established that protecting the vast network of Indian seafarers navigating high-risk choke points like the Strait of Hormuz remains a critical security priority for New Delhi. Though President Trump punctuated the meeting by calling the Prime Minister a “tough negotiator” and a “good-looking guy,” the underlying core of the dialogue remained firmly anchored to protecting the lives and trade routes of India’s extensive maritime workforce.
