NEW DELHI: BJP national vice-president Baijayant Jay Panda recently posted a selfie with Congress leader Shashi Tharoor on social media, snapped during a flight. The image drew notice thanks to Panda’s tongue-in-cheek caption: “My friend & fellow traveler called me mischievous for saying that we seem to be finally travelling in the same direction.”
The post arrives on the heels of Tharoor’s recent comments about India’s diplomatic stance on the Russia-Ukraine conflict, which had initially sparked criticism but later earned his praise. This shift provided the BJP with an opportunity to spotlight what they see as validation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s foreign policy.
Tharoor, a seasoned Congress figure and former minister of state for external affairs, had critiqued India’s neutral position in early 2022. However, he recently conceded that this approach enabled Modi to foster robust relationships with both Russia and Ukraine. “I am still wiping the egg off my face,” Tharoor admitted, reflecting on his earlier stance.
BJP leaders welcomed this turnaround. Senior leader and Lok Sabha MP Ravi Shankar Prasad called it “better late than never,” stressing that the Modi government prioritizes India’s interests. He expressed hope that other Congress figures might also recognize this achievement.
BJP MP and national spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi underscored India’s diplomatic finesse, citing Modi’s warm interactions with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. “Under PM Modi, India has moved from non-alignment to an ‘all-aligned’ strategy,” Trivedi noted, positioning India as a global partner.
Tharoor emphasized that his remarks stemmed from national pride, not political motives. “I spoke as an Indian,” he clarified.
Meanwhile, BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra pressed other Congress leaders, including president Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi, to echo Tharoor’s sentiments. “They should applaud India’s elevated global role and Tharoor’s honesty in recognizing it,” Patra said.
This blend of a candid selfie and diplomatic discourse underscores a rare moment of alignment between the two political figures, set against the backdrop of India’s rising international stature.