India, May 12 -- Congress leader Shashi Tharoor has strongly defended foreign secretary Vikram Misri in the wake of a social media backlash targeting the diplomat after the announcement of a ceasefire "understanding" between India and Pakistan.

In an interview with NDTV, Tharoor termed the online attacks against Misri as "preposterous" and praised the seasoned envoy for his composed and effective handling of what he described as "one of the most tense moments in recent India-Pakistan relations."

He went on to extend his praise to Wing Commander Vyomika Singh and Colonel Sofia Qureshi, both of whom were involved in press conferences in the days after Operation Sindoor. He said the officers "spoke very calmly and professionally without an...