Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has once again come out in defence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, this time over the latter’s remarks on the safety of Indian sailors during his meeting with US President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in France.
Also read: Modi at G7: PM takes up sailors’ safety with Trump, holds meet with Merz
Tharoor’s comments came after the Congress had criticised Modi, alleging that he failed to raise the issue strongly enough during his interaction with Trump following the deaths of three Indian sailors in a US strike on a merchant vessel in the Gulf region.
Tharoor defends PM
Defending the Prime Minister’s position, Tharoor said Modi had conveyed India’s concerns over the safety of civilian seafarers both publicly and privately during discussions with Trump. He stressed that commercial sailors should not become targets during military conflicts.
“Civilian sailors on commercial ships are not soldiers, and that message was conveyed by the prime minister,” Tharoor said, adding that countries must ensure the safety of Indian sailors working on international maritime routes.
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He further argued that if vessels violate restrictions or blockades, countries must find alternative ways to deal with the situation instead of putting civilian lives at risk.
BJP hits out at Congress
The BJP quickly seized on Tharoor’s remarks and said the Congress leader’s remarks have indirectly exposed Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi. BJP spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari said Tharoor’s comments showed that even Congress leaders were acknowledging the prime minister’s diplomatic efforts.
“Shashi Tharoor has exposed Rahul Gandhi. Congress leaders are openly praising PM Narendra Modi’s diplomacy,” Bhandari posted on X, alleging that Modi prioritises national interest while Rahul takes a different position.
G7 interaction
The controversy began after Congress leaders questioned Modi’s meeting with Trump, asking whether the prime minister had raised India’s concerns over the deaths of Indian sailors and whether the US had been asked for accountability.
Also read: Tharoor calls US ‘deeply insensitive’ after 3 Indian sailors killed in Gulf strike
During the G7 interaction, Modi highlighted the importance of protecting Indian seafarers working across global trade routes, including the Strait of Hormuz, and said their safety was a key concern for India.
Earlier instances
This is not the first time Tharoor has backed PM Modi. The Congress MP has defended Modi government on matters of foreign policy and national interest.
During Operation Sindoor, India’s military response following the Pahalgam terror attack, Tharoor had praised the government’s diplomatic outreach, saying Prime Minister Modi’s willingness to engage with global leaders and explain India’s position internationally was an important part of the country’s foreign policy effort.
Also read: Rahul Gandhi calls PM Modi ‘compromised PM’ after US strikes kill 3 Indian seafarers
In March 2026, amid rising tensions in West Asia, Tharoor also backed the government’s diplomatic outreach to Iran and specifically supported the efforts of Prime Minister Modi and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar to keep diplomatic channels open during a volatile period.
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