Congress MP Shashi Tharoor on Sunday spoke on US President Donald Trump claiming credit for the ceasefire between India and Pakistan, suggesting it was "not mediation" but US efforts at playing a constructive role.
Trump had on Saturday evening claimed that the US had mediated between India and Pakistan, and the two neighbours had agreed to a full and immediate ceasefire. Within an hour, both countries officially announced the ceasefire.
"I think that's a very unfortunate way of proceeding. I have certainly never seen anything like that in international diplomacy," said the MP from Thiruvananthapuram who had served at the UN.
Tharoor pointed out that foreign ministers of both India and Pakistan have been posting online about their conversations with foreign leaders over the past few days.
"Jaishankar spoke to Secretary Rubio, following which the latter spoke with the foreign minister of Pakistan. Such contacts were going on throughout these three or four days of the conflict. But that does not mean that India was looking for someone to mediate," he said.
Tharoor underscored that India's conversations with the US can be termed as a constructive role played by Washington.
"Moreover, the US was not the only country. Jaishankar has been speaking to the foreign ministers of the UAE, UK, or France (as well)," he added.
Such conversations often include other nations talking to both sides, in which they apprise each country of the other's side, told Tharoor.
He, further, added: "I think would never accept the idea that we have in any way accepted foreign mediation in a conflict that we are perfectly capable of handling ourselves."
Trump had congratulated India and Pakistan for the ceasefire that he claimed was mediated by the United States.
"After a long night of talks mediated by the United States, I am pleased to announce that India and Pakistan have agreed to a full and immediate ceasefire. Congratulations to both Countries on using Common Sense and Great Intelligence. Thank you for your attention to this matter," he wrote on Truth Social.
He also offered to work with the two neighbours to find a solution to the Kashmir issue.
Also read: Did India lose Rafale in Operation Sindoor? Military responds
Tharoor also defended foreign secretary Vikram Misri in the wake of a social media backlash targeting the diplomat after the announcement of a ceasefire “understanding” between India and Pakistan.
Tharoor termed the online attacks against Misri as “preposterous” and praised the seasoned envoy for his composed and effective handling of what he described as “one of the most tense moments in recent India-Pakistan relations.”
He went on to extend his praise to Wing Commander Vyomika Singh and Colonel Sofia Qureshi, both of whom were involved in press conferences in the days after Operation Sindoor. He said the officers “spoke very calmly and professionally without any hysteria,” calling their conduct “wonderfully impressive.”
“I think young Vikram Misri has done an outstanding job,” Shashi Tharoor said, commending the foreign secretary's commitment and professionalism. “He has worked very hard, very long hours, and is an extremely hardworking and effective voice for India.”
Expressing disbelief over the backlash, Tharoor said, “I can't understand who on earth would troll and why? What could they be critical of, and what could these people have done differently or better?”
After announcing that India and Pakistan had reached an agreement to completely halt military action on land, sea, and in the air, Misri became the target of coordinated trolling on social media.
A growing number of political leaders and former diplomats have spoken out in defence of foreign secretary Vikram Misri.
All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi posted a strong message of support on X, describing Misri as “a decent, honest, hard-working diplomat working tirelessly for our nation.” He reminded critics that civil servants act under the directives of elected governments.
“Our civil servants work under the executive—this must be remembered—and they shouldn’t be blamed for the decisions taken by the executive or any political leadership running Watan E Aziz,” Owaisi wrote.
Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav, too, echoed similar sentiments, warning that such “baseless and hateful statements” could discourage dedicated officers.
The ceasefire followed three nights of intense cross-border firing and drone and missile attacks from Pakistan after Indian forces carried out Operation Sindoor, striking terror targets deep inside Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (POK) in response to the ghastly Pahalgam terror attack.
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