In a move that has sparked both curiosity and debate in Indian political circles, Prime Minister Narendra Modi hosted an informal dinner at his residence, 7 Lok Kalyan Marg, on the night of June 10. The event brought together members of seven parliamentary delegations who had recently returned from foreign outreach missions aimed at presenting India’s stance on global issues—particularly isolating Pakistan on the world stage.

**An Unusual Gathering**

The delegations, comprising MPs from various political parties, had traveled to 33 countries as part of what the government described as an “outreach program.” Their mission: to inform the international community about India’s position on terrorism and Pakistan’s alleged role in harboring terrorists. Leadership of these delegations was assigned to prominent MPs such as Ravi Shankar Prasad, Jay Panda, Sanjay Kumar Jha, Kanimozhi Karunanidhi, Supriya Sule, Shashi Tharoor, and Srikant Shinde.

While the dinner itself was not officially classified as formal or informal, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor clarified that it was a casual meeting, stating that the delegation’s reports were not formally presented or discussed with the Prime Minister. Interestingly, Tharoor expressed satisfaction, not regret, over the informal nature of the gathering.

**Viral Videos and Political Optics**

Videos and images from the event quickly went viral, showing Prime Minister Modi interacting warmly with Congress leaders like Shashi Tharoor, Manish Tewari, Anand Sharma, and Salman Khurshid. Even former Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad was seen sharing a laugh with the Prime Minister. These visuals have raised questions about Modi’s intentions—especially as such friendly interactions with opposition MPs are rare in the current polarized political climate.

Some have speculated that Modi’s outreach to Congress leaders is part of a broader strategy to sow divisions within the opposition. Over the past decade, several senior Congress leaders have either joined the BJP or left their party, further fueling such theories.

**Contradictions and Public Sentiment**

The timing of the dinner has also drawn criticism. Many are questioning how the Prime Minister could be seen celebrating with MPs while victims of the recent Pahalgam terror attack continue to suffer. The government had launched “Operation Sindoor” in response to the attack, but after an initial flurry of activity, little information has been made public about subsequent actions. Critics argue that the government’s focus on international outreach has come at the expense of addressing domestic concerns and providing justice for terror victims.

**Questions on Foreign Policy**

The event has also reignited debates about India’s foreign policy. Some analysts argue that the very need to send delegations abroad to explain India’s position reflects a failure of Modi’s foreign policy. If India’s leadership was as globally influential as claimed, they argue, the world would not equate India and Pakistan or require such extensive lobbying.

During the delegations’ visits, US President Donald Trump publicly praised Pakistan’s leadership, undermining the intended message of the Indian outreach. Critics say that if real change was to be achieved, the government should have convened a parliamentary session to discuss the issue, rather than sending delegations abroad at significant public expense.

**Opposition MPs and BJP Criticism**

Interestingly, even as Congress MPs participated in the delegation and the dinner, BJP MP Nishikant Dubey was seen blaming Congress for India’s foreign policy setbacks on social media—without any pushback from his Congress counterparts present at the event. This has led to further speculation about the unity and resolve of the opposition.

**Conclusion: Strategic Outreach or Political Maneuvering?**

The informal dinner at the Prime Minister’s residence has raised more questions than answers. Is Modi attempting to win over Congress MPs in anticipation of future political crises? Will opposition leaders like Shashi Tharoor, Salman Khurshid, Anand Sharma, and Manish Tewari become Modi’s crisis managers in times of need? Only time will tell.

For now, the episode highlights both the complexities of Indian politics and the challenges facing the Congress leadership, which must work to distinguish between loyal “racehorses” and “limping horses” within its ranks, as Rahul Gandhi recently put it.

As the political landscape continues to shift, one thing is clear: Modi’s outreach, whether sincere or strategic, has once again set the stage for new alignments and debates in Indian politics.