Shashi Tharoor in Washington: 'Operation Sindoor' and the Shifting Global Perception of India

 

In The ever-changing landscape of world diplomacy, actions and words can resonate across borders and shape alliances and impressions. That was for all to see when Indian MP and Congress leader Shashi Tharoor visited Washington D.C. in 2025  to be  part of an all-party delegation after India's 'Operation Sindoor' — a counter-terror military operation against terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (Pok).

The surgery came on the heels of a horrific terror attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir, that  the lives of 26 people, including Indian Navy officer Lieutenant Vinay Narwal. His untimely demise — just days after his wedding — was a haunting national symbol of sorrow, personified by the photo of His teenage fiancée, Himanshi Margalit was the The operation drew its name from the fading streak of her sindoor—the traditional red mark symbolizing marriage in Hindu culture.

That symbolism, so embedded in Indian cultural awareness, resonated across the country.

But the resonance did not stay in India's shores alone. As Shashi Tharoor clearly established in Washington, the story around 'Operation Sindoor' had gained an international scale, changing how India is seen on the international stage.

A Strategic Retaliation Instead of Recklessness

In His interactions with American lawmakers, diplomats, and journalists, Tharoor reiterated the measured nature of Operation Sindoor. It was not an impulsive response guided by passion; it was An   pinpoint attack on terrorist infrastructure. Tharoor made it clear that the government had moved forward with caution to eschew civilian deaths, choosing to for surgical precision rather than blanket hostility

This was an important difference. While the world, to be  embodied by the U.S., France, Israel, and even usually neutral Russia called for moderation. and de-escalation, they  to be    to be  India's right to self-defence. “Even amid global appeals for calm,” Tharoor noted, “there was near-unanimous recognition of India’s sovereign right to defend its citizens from acts of terror.”

The Symbolism of 'Sindoor'

During media interviews and policy briefings, Tharoor delved into the powerful emotional weight behind the name ‘Operation Sindoor’. The tragedy that befell Himanshi Narwal changed her from a happy bride to into a poignant reminder of the innocent victims of terrorism.

"Sindoor is not much different from blood in colour," Tharoor pointed out at one briefing. "It became the symbol of the pain Our country went through that day." By so doing, India repositioned the story from political payback to personal loss and national pride, something that the world could more readily identify with.

A Candid Exchange with His Son

One of the most widely discussed moments during Tharoor's U.S. One of the more surprising moments of the trip came when Tharoor crossed paths with his son, Ishaan Tharoor, a journalist working in Washington.

 At a press conference, Ishaan posed a challenging query about if Operation Sindoor had crossed the limits of judicious statecraft and what It stated about India's foreign policy.

Shashi Tharoor's reply was diplomatic but  to be  determined. He agreed with the necessity of upholding moral authority in international relations but insisted that cowardice in the face of terrorism could not be India's policy. "Our commitment to peace should not be confused with weakness," he stated. The   swap an element of personal depth to the geopolitics debate, illustrating how India's actions were being watched, even in the homes of its diplomats.

Global Reaction: Comprehension, Not Alarm

One of the greatest achievements of the operation,  to be articulated by Tharoor, was the way global public opinion shifted in Favor of India. In past Indo-Pak tensions, global responses have quickly defaulted to urging both countries to "exercise restraint." This But with time, the phrasing may have been familiar, but the underlying message was markedly different.

Most world leaders issue declaration acknowledging the provocation India had persevered and avoiding direct criticism of the strikes. Even China, Pakistan's long-standing ally, came out with a advocating for a neutral response to peace — without criticizing India's actions

As Tharoor describes, this was a reflection of an increasing awareness around the world of India's security interests. "There was a common desire for peace and stability," He noticed in an op-ed, "but  to be  a surging realization that India has the right — and the duty — to act against cross-border terror."

Bipartisanship at Home — With Caveats

Tharoor's support for Operation Sindoor sparked conversation in his party, exposing differing perspectives and a lack of full consensus.

. Although the Congress leadership ostensibly backed the operation, it was at variance with certain portions of the party, which attacked the government for supposedly using the military action for political mileage.

Tharoor, though, stood his ground. "National security is above party politics," he said. "We can never let political differences erode our common commitment to defending India and Indians." Such was the feeling of other senior leaders such  to be  Salman Khurshid, Who dissuaded hatred? speeches in public at such critical moments.

The Strategic Implications

More than a military operation, Operation Sindoor had strategic importance. One, it showed India's changing defines doctrine — from traditionally avoiding provocation to one that accepts calibrated responses where necessary.

Second, it highlighted India's strength in communications — marrying symbolic power with diplomatic clarity. The operation was not only supported by missiles but by an inspiring narrative that found resonance in the international community. From New Delhi to Washington, India's narrative was narrated with moral authority and cultural depth.