Shashi Tharoor Accepts Invitation to Putin’s Banquet, Congress Responds to Controversy

Brief By Newsbrief / 2:04 AM on 06 Dec 2025

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor confirmed he will attend the banquet hosted in honour of Russian President Vladimir Putin, saying the invitation was appropriate and he had “no reason to refuse.” Congress clarified the invite was sent by protocol, not politics. Tharoor added India must uphold diplomatic courtesy, despite internal disagreements.