Shashi Tharoor lauds PM Modi for outreach to Islamic world; G20 diplomacy. BJP reacts

Senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor on Monday praised Narendra Modi for his outreach to the Islamic world, describing it as “exemplary”. Tharoor also lauded the Modi government’s success in making G20 a “buzzword”, but expressed concerns over the country’s China policy beyond the ban on Chinese apps.Speaking at a conclave of CNN-News18, the Thiruvananthapuram MP said, “In foreign policy, by and large, I used to be a critique at the beginning of the Modi administration. But I think they have touched all the bases reasonably well,” Tharoor said

I remember, in the first year of Modi's prime ministership, he travelled to 27 countries and not one of those was an Islamic country. I made a fuss about that as a Congress MP. But I am delighted to say what he has done subsequently to outreach to the Islamic world has been exemplary. In fact, it couldn’t have been better. Our relations with the major Muslim countries have never been better. I am happy to take back my early criticism,” Tharoor said

Underlining that India's relations with major Muslim countries have never been better, Tharoor, speaking at a CNN-News18 conclave, said he was "happy to take back my early criticism". He also praised Prime Minister Modi for making the G20 a "buzzword". However, he expressed concerns over India's China policy.

Recently, Shashi Tharoor had praised PM Modi for reviving and popularising yoga. "We should also acknowledge all those who revived and popularised yoga, including our government for internationalising the International Yoga Day through the UN," he had said.