Tharoor calls Putin dinner 'warm and engaging' as Congress questions guest list exclusion

Engaging atmosphere reigned: Shashi Tharoor on state dinner with Putin

Senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor on Saturday described the Rashtrapati Bhavan banquet for Russian President Vladimir Putin as a “warm and engaging” evening, even as his party raised objections over the exclusion of its top leadership from the guest list.

Tharoor, who attended the high-profile dinner hosted by President Droupadi Murmu on Friday, wrote on X that he had “enjoyed” meaningful interactions with members of the Russian delegation seated alongside him.

“Attended the @rashtrapatibhvn banquet for President Putin last night. A warm and engaging atmosphere reigned. Enjoyed my conversations with many of the attendees, especially my dining companions from the Russian delegation!” he posted.

Attended the @rashtrapatibhvn banquet for President Putin last night. A warm and engaging atmosphere reigned. Enjoyed my conversations with many of the attendees, especially my dining companions from the Russian delegation! @RusEmbIndiapic.twitter.com/frP2TYZKXr

— Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) December 6, 2025

The banquet marked the conclusion of Putin’s two-day India visit, which included wide-ranging discussions with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the adoption of a joint declaration to deepen cooperation in defence, trade, energy, education, and other strategic areas.

However, the event sparked internal political friction, with the Congress questioning why neither its president and Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge, nor Lok Sabha Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi were invited.

Pawan Khera, chair of the party’s media and publicity department, criticised the government for what he termed a breach of protocol. Taking a veiled swipe at Tharoor, he said those who accepted such invitations must also “question their own conscience”.

Tharoor, who heads the Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs, has pointed out that there was once a regular practice of inviting the committee chairperson to such diplomatic events, suggesting the deviation did not begin with this banquet.

The episode has reignited tensions within Congress ranks over participation in official engagements hosted by the government, even as Tharoor’s remarks highlighted the continued importance of India-Russia ties on the global stage.