Senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor on Saturday described the Rashtrapati Bhavan banquet for Russian President Vladimir Putin as a “warm” and “engaging” evening, even as his party publicly questioned why its top leaders were not invited and took veiled digs at him for attending.

Tharoor, who was present at Friday’s state banquet hosted by President Droupadi Murmu, wrote on X that he had “enjoyed” his conversations with members of the Russian delegation.

“Attended the @rashtrapatibhvn banquet for President Putin last night. A warm and engaging atmosphere reigned. Enjoyed my conversations with many of the attendees, especially my dining companions from the Russian delegation!” he posted.

The dinner was organised on the final evening of Putin’s two-day India visit, which was marked by ex

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