Tharoor slams Kerala govt for aid to turkey in 2023; aid was part of union govt’s ‘Operation Dost’, Brittas reminds him

Amidst multi-party delegation’s visit across the globe as part of government’s outreach in wake of the India-Pakistan conflict, two Parliamentarians from Kerala Congress’s Shashi Tharoor and CPI(M)’s John Brittas sparred over Kerala government financial assistance to Turkey after it was struck by an earthquake in 2023. File. | Photo Credit: ANI

Amidst multi-party delegation’s visit across the globe as part of government’s outreach in wake of the India-Pakistan conflict, two Parliamentarians from Kerala Congress’s Shashi Tharoor and CPI(M)’s John Brittas sparred over Kerala government financial assistance to Turkey after it was struck by an earthquake in 2023.

 Mr. Tharoor in a post on ‘X’ on Saturday (May 24, 2025), criticised the Kerala government’s ₹10 crore aid to Turkey two years ago, as “misplaced generosity”. To which Mr. Brittas said Mr. Thaoor’s comments show “selective amnesia”, since it does not mention Narendra Modi government itself had launched Operation Dost to help Turkey. 

Mr. Tharoor is leading a delegation visiting the U.S., Panama, Guyana, Brazil and Colombia. Mr. Brittas is a member of a delegation headed by JD(U) MP Sanjay Jha which is touring Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia. 

“I hope the Govt of Kerala reflects on its misplaced generosity, after seeing Turkey’s behaviour two years later! Not to mention that the people of Wayanad (just to take one Kerala example) could have used those ten crores better…” Mr. Tharoor posted on ‘X’. His remarks come in the context of reports that Pakistan used Turkish made drones during the conflict with India. Wayanad in July 2024 was hit by a devastating landslide which killed more than 300 people and destroyed large parts of three villages. 

Responding to Mr. Tharoor’s post Mr. Brittas said, “Have great regards for Shashi Tharoor. But these comments are symptoms of selective amnesia. It is amusing and puzzling why he had to belittle Kerala when he knows very well the Narendra Modi government itself had launched Operation Dost to help Turkey. Kerala basing is unwarranted.”  

At a External Affairs Standing Committee headed by Mr. Tharoor held last week, several members raised concerns over Indo-Turkey relations. With many emphasising that India should take care to repair the current breach. 

Published - May 25, 2025 10:46 am IST