Facing backlash from fellow Congress leaders over his recent comments on surgical strikes, senior leader Shashi Tharoor clarified on Thursday (May 29, 2025) that his remarks were specifically about retaliatory strikes against terrorist attacks, not about historical military operations or wars across the LoC. Speaking in Panama City as part of a multi-party foreign outreach, Tharoor had said that India had, for the first time, crossed the LoC to strike a terror base — a move not done previously.

This prompted criticism from within the Congress, with MP Udit Raj sarcastically suggesting that Tharoor should be named a "super spokesperson of the BJP" and even be appointed Foreign Minister before returning to India. Raj accused Tharoor of undermining the Congress’ legacy by implying India had never crossed the LoC prior to Prime Minister Modi’s tenure.

After a long and successful day in Panama, i have to wind up at midnightvhere with departure for Bogota, Colombia in six hours, so I don’t really have time for this — but anyway: For those zealots fulminating about my supposed ignorance of Indian valour across the LoC: in tge…

— Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) May 29, 2025

Responding on social media late at night from Panama, Tharoor stood by his comments, stating: "To those zealots ranting about my supposed ignorance of Indian bravery across the LoC, I was clearly referring to retaliatory strikes for terrorist attacks — not wars." He said India’s past responses had been constrained by its commitment to respecting the LoC and international boundaries.

Tharoor added, “Critics are welcome to twist my words, but I have more important things to do. Goodnight.”

Udit Raj, who heads the Congress’ unorganised workers’ wing, had strongly disagreed, pointing out that Indian forces had entered Pakistan during the 1965 and 1971 wars, and that multiple surgical strikes had occurred under the UPA regime — even though they weren’t publicised.

Congress communications chief Jairam Ramesh and media head Pawan Khera echoed Raj’s disapproval. Khera posted an image of Indian soldiers outside a captured Pakistani police station in Burki, Lahore during the 1965 war and cited former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who had acknowledged surgical strikes during the UPA years.

Tharoor’s recent comments, including those following the Pahalgam terror attack, appear to diverge from the party line — especially as Congress continues to press the Modi government over former U.S. President Donald Trump’s claims of brokering a ceasefire between India and Pakistan.