Shashi Tharoor Rebuts Claims of George Soros Dinner Invite

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has publicly contested Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri’s remarks about a 2009 dinner in New York, wherein the inclusion of billionaire George Soros was allegedly pushed by Tharoor. Puri, who hosted the event during his tenure as Indian Ambassador to the US, recalled the dinner as a formal gathering aimed at bridging influential international personas.

Divergent Recollections

Tharoor emphasized that his memories of the event differ significantly from those of Puri, suggesting that the broad guest list was determined by the ambassador himself. In a social media post dated December 21, Tharoor clarified, “I see no reason for either of us to disavow our contacts with anyone at the earlier stages of our lives in New York or Geneva.”

Tharoor further specified, “I was completely unaware of any Mr. Soros having any connection to any foundation in India — and have never discussed it with him either.”

The 2009 New York Dinner

According to Tharoor, the dinner he attended upon his visit to New York in 2009 as Minister of State for External Affairs, was a well-organized diplomatic event. Meanwhile, Puri alleged that Soros’s presence was due to Tharoor’s influence, hinting at Soros’s benefactor status with the Rajiv Gandhi Foundation.

Puri recounted, “It became clear in retrospect that Soros was an invitee because he was among the benefactors of the Rajiv Gandhi Foundation.” However, Tharoor dismissed this, asserting no prior knowledge or influence over the guest list composition.

George Soros’s Involvement in Indian Affairs

Soros’s name has surfaced amid allegations of bribery involving the Adani Group. These allegations have prompted significant political discourse, especially given the claimed links between Soros and the Nehru-Gandhi family as discussed by BJP leaders.

In December, prominent BJP leaders suggested that Soros sought to undermine Indian democracy, citing his past critiques of India’s governmental structures.

As the political dialogue continues, the intricacies of Soros’s connections with Indian political entities remain a focal point for both Congress and BJP parties, each leveraging the narrative to address broader themes of influence and governance.