NEW DELHI (Feb 20, 2026) — Senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor has praised the AI Impact Summit as a success, breaking from party colleagues who labeled the global event a "disorganized PR spectacle."

Diverging Views

• The Praise: Tharoor noted the summit has gone "extremely well," dismissing minor glitches as typical for large-scale events and highlighting the "impressive" attendance of world leaders.
• The Critique: His comments directly counter Rahul Gandhi, who alleged the event was mismanaged and showcased Chinese products, and Mallikarjun Kharge, who claimed it caused national embarrassment.

Defense and Media

• Self-Reliance: Tharoor also voiced support for the 'Make in India' aspect of the Rafale deal, calling it essential for "defensive defense" and national self-reliance.
• Cinema: He criticized the upcoming Kerala Story 2, calling the franchise "hate-mongering" propaganda that exaggerates social issues.