Fresh Diplomatic Push? No, Tharoor's Moscow Visit About Historical Documentary Series On Colonialism
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Shashi Tharoor, who is the chairperson of the parliamentary external affairs committee, travelled to Russia earlier this month prompting speculation in foreign policy circles
Amid the controversy about Congress MP Shashi Tharoor's op-ed praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the senior leader is visiting Russian capital Moscow for a new historical documentary series on colonialism.
Tharoor, who is the chairperson of the parliamentary external affairs committee, travelled to Russia earlier this month prompting speculation in foreign policy circles that he was there for a 'fresh diplomatic push". His visit, so far, has included a meeting with Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov during the Primakov Readings in Moscow, but details about his interactions were mostly unclear.
'Good to catch up with old friend Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on the sidelines of the #PrimakovReadings in Moscow," Tharoor posted on social media platform X on Wednesday.
Good to catch up with old friend Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on the sidelines of the #PrimakovReadings in Moscow @RT_India_news @RT_com pic.twitter.com/kQp9EdB3qM — Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) June 25, 2025
Now, it has come to the fore that the Congress leader is collaborating with Russia Today (RT), the Kremlin-funded international broadcaster, on a new historical documentary series titled Imperial Receipts with Dr Shashi Tharoor. This 10-part series, set to air on RT and its Indian counterpart RT India, will delve into the global impact of colonialism, drawing heavily from his previous works, including An Era of Darkness and Inglorious Empire.
While the official release date for the series has not been announced, RT has started airing promotional clips and a preview was shown during Tharoor's recent appearance on The Sanchez Effect, a prime-time show on the broadcaster.
In other promotional clips, Tharoor is also heard talking about Iran-Israel conflict and US President Donald Trump's efforts to broker a ceasefire between the two countries.
RT's Rick Sanchez: What do you make of these geopolitical developments? 🇮🇷🇮🇱Dr. Shashi Tharoor: Unprecedented. But if people can look around and say 'Our honor is satisfied', and that brings peace — then let's take peace pic.twitter.com/mXiRndB9Rz — RT (@RT_com) June 24, 2025
He mentions the military standoff between India and Pakistan calling it a 'nasty exchange — about 88 hours, a bit less than Iran-Israel". He, however, did not respond to the host, Rick Sanchez's comments on how Trump 'solved that one for you".
Dr. Shashi Tharoor: We had a rather nasty exchange — about 88 hours, a bit less than Iran-Israel — with PakistanRT's Rick Sanchez: Thank God Mr. Trump solved that one for you [laughs]Tharoor: We had no desire for it to continue. We stopped when they did pic.twitter.com/85Vi0K6jYm — RT (@RT_com) June 24, 2025
The timing of the show's announcement may provide insight into Tharoor's engagements in Moscow, particularly his private meeting with Lavrov. The collaboration with RT — often seen as a strategic soft power tool for Russia — could also raise questions about the blend of cultural diplomacy and state-backed media narratives.
Tharoor, however, has not publicly commented on any connection between the RT project and his diplomatic activities. The collaboration comes at a time when Russia is expanding its media presence in India, through RT India.
'Imperial Receipts' is being marketed as a global examination of the Empire and decolonisation, themes that resonate in postcolonial countries like India and which Tharoor has advocated for on international platforms, including the Oxford Union.
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