Shashi Tharoor, a prominent Congress MP, has indeed distinguished himself by occasionally offering praise for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, a stance that sets him apart from many in his party. While Tharoor is often a vocal critic of Modi and the BJP government, he has, on specific occasions, acknowledged Modi's achievements or diplomatic efforts when he believes they merit recognition. For instance, in recent comments on March 19, 2025, Tharoor lauded Modi's diplomatic approach to the Russia-Ukraine conflict, noting India's unique position to engage with both nations. He admitted to initially misjudging the government's strategy, stating that Modi’s ability to maintain relations with both sides showcased effective leadership on the global stage.
This isn’t the first time Tharoor has broken from the opposition’s typical narrative. In February 2025, he praised Modi’s negotiation skills during a meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump, highlighting how even Trump acknowledged Modi as a tougher negotiator. Tharoor framed this as a win for India, emphasizing a "nation first" perspective over party lines. Earlier instances, like his 2019 remarks where he argued Modi should be praised "whenever he says or does the right thing" to lend credibility to opposition critiques, also stirred debate within Congress, with the Kerala unit seeking explanations for such statements.
Tharoor’s approach reflects a pragmatic streak—acknowledging what he sees as effective leadership while maintaining his broader critique of Modi’s policies. This has drawn both admiration and ire, with some viewing it as a rare honesty in politics, while others, including party colleagues, see it as a deviation from Congress’s stance. His willingness to commend Modi when he deems it warranted certainly marks him as an outlier among opposition figures.
