Ahead of the President’s banquet to be held on Friday evening, Congress leader Shashi Tharoor has been invited to the ceremonial dinner, according to News 18. This development comes as Congress Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi and National President Mallikarjun Kharge claimed not to have received an invitation to the dinner with the Russian President.
Rahul Gandhi told reporters outside Parliament that the government’s decision to prevent the Opposition from meeting the Russian President was motivated by a sense of insecurity.
Tharoor also recently praised PM Modi’s warm gesture of receiving Putin and breaking protocol. He mentioned that both substance and symbolism are important in diplomacy. However, he said that symbolism is not a substitute for the substance such a summit entails.
Shashi Tharoor hails Putin’s visit
Shashi Tharoor, while speaking to ANI, mentioned that Putin’s visit comes at an important time. He said, “It’s hugely significant. First of all, it is a very important relationship which has existed for a long time. In today’s rather turbulent world, where so many relationships have become uncertain, it becomes important to shore up the ones we have. Secondly, the value of Russian friendship has been proven in recent years, particularly in two domains.”
Tharoor also highlighted that India has continuously purchased oil and gas from Russia. He mentioned that defence imports have proven to be valuable, such as the S-400 during Operation Sindoor, which protected India from a number of Pakistani missiles.
Shashi Tharoor to strengthen narrative
Shashi Tharoor also led a foreign delegation to strengthen India’s narrative after Operation Sindoor in five nations. The delegation visited the US, Panama, Guyana, Brazil, and Colombia to project India’s national consensus and resolute approach to combating terrorism in all forms.