Anand Sharma, veteran Congress leader, resigned as the head of the party’s foreign affairs department after extending it for almost a decade on Sunday. He said that he did this because the department needed restructuring and young leaders.
The PTI news agency said in his resignation letter addressed to Congress President Mallikrajun Kharge, Anand Sharma entrusted the responsibility of giving the title to the department for so long and said that the restructuring of the committee would ensure the continuity of its functioning, PTI news agency said.
He has been the party’s major face on international affairs for almost four decades.
He said, “As I have expressed earlier, both CP and Chairperson CPP needs to be reorganized to bring young leaders of potential and promise to bring the young leaders of the promise. This will ensure continuity in its functioning,” he wrote in the letter.
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He said, “Expressing gratitude to the leadership of the party for this responsibility, I am presenting my resignation as Chairman DFA (Department of Foreign Affairs) to facilitate my restructure,” he said.
Sharma remains with the Congress party and is also a member of his highest decision -making body – Congress Working Committee (CWC).
Sharma first played an important role in the interaction of the Indo-US nuclear deal, advocated the India-specific discount in the nuclear suppliers group, and is credited with making the Indo-Africa partnership formal in a structured manner. He also organized the inauguration of India-Africa Summit.
Tribute to Congress colleague to Anand Sharma
After Anand Sharma’s resignation, Congress leader Manish Tiwari said that the former understanding of foreign affairs is “surprising”. He said that Sharma spent more than five decades in the service of the Indian National Congress and wished him a “happy and full life”.
Sharma, Manish Tiwari and Shashi Tharoor, along with their party colleagues, were also part of the multi-party parliamentary delegation sent worldwide, to carry out the approach to India’s terrorism and operation vermilion.
“There was joy and respect to working with @anandsharmainc for more than four decades. Their understanding of foreign affairs is surprising. Especially in Africa, the depth of their knowledge has increased. As we were together on the same Politico -Stratic Delegation in the beginning of May 2025, we were very beneficial from their insight.
(With PTI input)
