New Delhi: In a display of statesmanship over partisanship, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor on Saturday said he remained committed to national service, despite not being included by his party in the list of nominees for the Centre’s overseas outreach delegation on terrorism. Tharoor was, however, chosen by the central government to be part of the multi-party group representing India internationally on the issue.
Reacting to the situation, Tharoor stated, “The party is completely entitled to its opinion. Clearly, this being a government delegation, the government had its own opinion as to who they felt was appropriate.” He added that he was unaware of any direct communication between the Congress and the Centre regarding his inclusion, and recommended that queries on that front be directed to the concerned stakeholders.
The Thiruvananthapuram MP noted that his selection was based not only on his role as chairman of a parliamentary standing committee related to the issue, but also on his longstanding experience in foreign affairs. “The minister very kindly talked about my personal experience over the years in international affairs and the need for that experience and such knowledge as I may possess to be put to the service of the nation at this time,” Tharoor said.
Tharoor reiterated that his allegiance is to the nation above all else. “Certainly, when my nation needs my services, I am available… this has nothing to do with party politics. It has all to do with what our country has been through in recent times and the need for us to present a united front,” he emphasized.
He also recalled a precedent for such outreach efforts in the aftermath of the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks. “As I recall, and I may be wrong because I was neither in India nor Indian politics at that time, a similar set of delegations was sent by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to various regions of the world. It is essentially something which, to my mind, is a good reflection of national unity at a time when unity is important,” Tharoor remarked.
