A fresh political row erupted on Friday after Congress MP Shashi Tharoor publicly backed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s remarks regarding the safety of Indian sailors during his recent meeting with US President Donald Trump. The BJP quickly seized on Tharoor’s comments, using them to attack Congress leader Rahul Gandhi.
The controversy stems from the bilateral talks held between Prime Minister Modi and President Trump on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in France. While the Congress had criticized Modi for allegedly not raising the deaths of three Indian sailors killed in a US strike on a merchant vessel in the Gulf of Oman, Tharoor offered a different perspective.
Speaking about the meeting, Tharoor said that Prime Minister Modi had clearly communicated India’s concerns about the safety of civilian sailors both publicly and privately during discussions with the US President.
According to Tharoor, civilian seafarers working on commercial vessels should never become targets during military conflicts. He emphasized that these individuals are not combatants and deserve protection regardless of geopolitical tensions.
The Congress leader further highlighted the importance of safeguarding Indian sailors working on Indian-flagged and international vessels across the Gulf region. He stressed that even if ships are suspected of violating blockades, alternative methods should be used instead of actions that put civilian lives at risk.
Earlier this week, Congress leaders questioned why Prime Minister Modi did not publicly seek an apology or expression of regret from the United States regarding the deaths of the Indian sailors.
However, Tharoor’s remarks provided the BJP with an opportunity to counter the opposition’s criticism. BJP spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari claimed that Tharoor’s comments had exposed contradictions within the Congress party and demonstrated support for Modi’s diplomatic approach.
The meeting between Modi and Trump marked their first bilateral engagement in over a year. During the discussions, the Prime Minister reportedly raised concerns about the welfare and security of thousands of Indian seafarers working across the Gulf and near the Strait of Hormuz, a strategically important maritime route.
As tensions continue in the region, the safety of Indian maritime workers remains a key concern for New Delhi. The latest political exchange has once again highlighted differences within the opposition over how India’s diplomatic efforts should be evaluated.
While the BJP has projected Tharoor’s remarks as an endorsement of the government’s foreign policy, the Congress maintains that questions regarding the deaths of Indian sailors deserve greater attention and accountability.