Shashi Tharoor Refutes Claims by Hardeep Singh Puri

Congress Member of Parliament (MP) Shashi Tharoor has publicly refuted claims made by Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri concerning a 2009 dinner in New York, where US billionaire George Soros was present. Tharoor expressed differing recollections of the event, where Puri was the host while serving as India’s Ambassador to the United States.

Details of the Dinner Dispute

According to Tharoor, his memory of the dinner diverges from Puri’s narrative. The gathering was attended by various guests whom Tharoor claims to have never met prior. He stated, “Our recollections differ, dear Hardeep,” emphasizing that such occasions naturally involve guests from diverse backgrounds.

He added, “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 expressed he was unaware of Soros’s connections to any Indian foundation and mentioned only discussing global warming-related concerns at the event.

The Origin of the Tensions

The exchange between the politicians began when an X (formerly Twitter) user brought up an old post from Tharoor in 2009, wherein he described Soros as being “upbeat about India.” Tharoor responded, clarifying he only met Soros once after that tweet, at Puri’s dinner.

Puri, on December 20, alleged that it was Tharoor who had suggested Soros be invited, claiming the billionaire was linked to the Rajiv Gandhi Foundation, benefiting from Tharoor’s interests as then Minister of State for External Affairs.

Controversies Around George Soros and Adani Bribery Allegations

George Soros, the Hungarian-American philanthropist, has become embroiled in the ongoing Adani Bribery allegations. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders have linked Soros with the Nehru-Gandhi family, which includes Sonia Gandhi.

The Congress party’s protests in Parliament during the Winter Session against the Adani Group’s bribery charges have escalated the matter. Last month, Gautam Adani and others were indicted by US prosecutors, accused of a scheme to bribe Indian officials for power-supply deals, though these allegations have been denied by the Adani Group.

BJP’s Accusations Against Soros

The BJP leaders have targeted Soros since the Adani-Hindenburg controversy, alleging his comments could weaken Prime Minister Modi’s governance. They accused him of attempting to “destroy” Indian democracy by influencing government leadership through ‘hand-picked’ individuals.