Shashi Tharoor praises PM Modi’s energy, dynamism; Calls him 'prime asset' for India
New Delhi: Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has once again drawn attention with his pointed praise for Prime Minister Narendra Modi, calling him a "prime asset for India" in the context of India's diplomatic outreach under Operation Sindoor.
Writing in a column for The Hindu, Tharoor highlighted Modi’s dynamism and willingness to engage as crucial strengths that enhance India's global standing. "Prime Minister Narendra Modi's energy, dynamism and willingness to engage remain a prime asset for India on the global stage, but deserve greater backing," Tharoor wrote.
Tharoor’s remarks come shortly after his return from the diplomatic outreach as part of Operation Sindoor, an initiative aimed at rallying international support for India's position on Pakistan and cross-border terrorism. His inclusion in the delegation had sparked political friction between the Congress and the BJP, particularly after Tharoor publicly commended the government’s efforts.
Reflecting on the delegation’s visit to the United States, Tharoor also took a subtle dig at Pakistan. "Even as a Pakistani delegation was simultaneously present, we found US representatives, including those who met the Pakistani officials, echoing our concerns and urging decisive action against terror groups such as Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed," he wrote in the column.
"We consistently highlighted the severity of the threat from across our borders, aiming to build global consensus to hold perpetrators accountable," he added, calling the outreach a success.
The Thiruvananthapuram MP noted that the U.S. acknowledgement served as validation of India’s consistent diplomatic efforts, which were backed by verifiable facts and consistent advocacy, and were cutting through the noise and reinforcing the legitimacy of India’s position.
He further emphasised that India’s international strategy should be anchored in what he termed the "three T’s" — tech, trade, and tradition — to help build a "more just, secure and prosperous world."
Tharoor was one of a dozen opposition leaders who were part of the delegations, which included high-profile figures such as AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi, Shiv Sena (UBT)’s Priyanka Chaturvedi, and DMK’s Kanimozhi.
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Karnataka new excise policy: Local liquor to get costlier, premium may get cheaper
Bengaluru: The state government on Monday rolled out a new excise policy that shifts from the decades-old bulk litre-based system to a model based on alcohol content in beverages, Deccan Herald reported.
Karnataka becomes the first state in India to adopt this model. The change is expected to make lower-priced liquor costlier, while some premium brands may see a reduction in prices.
A senior Excise Department official said: “The policy is being implemented from today (May 11). The Karnataka Excise (Excise Duty and Charges) (2nd Amendment) Rules, 2026, notified after a public consultation on a draft released on April 18, slashes the number of excise slabs from 16 to 8.”
Local liquor manufacturers have alleged that the policy favours multinational companies producing beer and spirits over domestic distilleries.
According to the Karnataka Brewers and Distillers Association (KBDA), the first five slabs, which cater to the common man, house the maximum number of state-owned distilleries and contribute nearly 70-75% of the state’s excise revenue, have seen their Additional Excise Duty (AED) rise by 20-30%.
In contrast, slabs 6 to 8, which include products from multinational companies such as United Spirits, Bacardi, Heineken, Carlsberg, and Anheuser-Busch, have seen AED reduced by 10-15%. The association said that while larger companies can absorb pricing shifts across their diverse portfolios, smaller regional distilleries limited to budget liquor may face volume contraction and potential closure.
A senior KBDA member said the price of a 180 ml bottle in the lowest slab, which was around Rs 63 last year, has already risen to Rs 80, and the new policy is set to push that price further to Rs 105 a jump driven by a 42.8% tax bracket.
