Tharoor & Priyanka: A Harvard Reunion

New Delhi, February 16, 2026: In a rare and high-profile meeting of Indian excellence from the worlds of politics and entertainment, Senior Congress MP Shashi Tharoor and global icon Priyanka Chopra Jonas shared a warm reunion at the 23rd annual Harvard India Conference.

The interaction, which took place backstage on February 15, 2026, has since gone viral, with Tharoor lauding the actress for her “remarkable” journey and for representing India on a global platform where few from the subcontinent have stood.

A “Rare” Feat: Tharoor’s Glowing Tribute

Shashi Tharoor, known for his own legendary oratory, took to X (formerly Twitter) to share glimpses of their meeting. In a heartfelt post, he noted that he was catching up with the Citadel star after more than a decade.

“She has made India proud by conquering a stage on which Indians rarely get to appear,” Tharoor wrote. “And of course she looks stunning, appears perfectly poised and sounds thoughtful and wise — what’s not to be proud of?!”

Tharoor, who was at the conference to deliver a keynote on “The India We Imagine,” attended Priyanka’s closing keynote session despite being in a wheelchair due to a recent injury. He expressed immense pride in seeing an Indian artist command such respect at one of the world’s most prestigious academic institutions.

Priyanka’s Reaction: A Fan of the “Clap Backs”

The “Desi Girl” was quick to respond to the veteran politician’s praise with equal warmth and a touch of wit. Expressing her gratitude, Priyanka revealed her long-standing admiration for Tharoor’s intellect and his famous social media presence.

“It was so good to see you again @ShashiTharoor Sir,” she replied. “Have always had such admiration for the orator that you are but as well for your clap backs. Thank you so much for staying for my panel and your wisdom.”

The exchange highlighted a mutual respect between the two, with Priyanka also wishing the Thiruvananthapuram MP a speedy recovery.

Highlights from the Harvard India Conference 2026

The conference, organized by the students of Harvard University, served as a forum to discuss India’s emergence as a global power. This year’s theme, “The India We Imagine,” saw a diverse range of speakers:

• Priyanka Chopra Jonas: Delivered the closing keynote, reflecting on her 25-year career and the “terrifying” but rewarding transition to Hollywood.
• Shashi Tharoor: Spoke on India’s constitutional ideals and international engagement.
• Other Notable Speakers: Included Olympic medalist P.V. Sindhu and Netflix India’s Mahima Kaul.

“But Not Together, Alas!”

The interaction also brought a humorous full circle to a joke Tharoor made earlier in the week. When the speaker list was first announced, Tharoor had playfully lamented on social media that while they were both on the roster, they were not scheduled to speak together, writing, “But not together, alas!” Netizens were delighted to see that the “alas” was short-lived, as the two finally crossed paths backstage, much to the delight of the 1,000+ attendees at the sold-out event.

On the Work Front

Priyanka Chopra Jonas continues to bridge the gap between industries. While she is currently garnering praise for her global projects like The Bluff and the second season of Citadel, Indian fans are eagerly awaiting her return to Bollywood in SS Rajamouli’s upcoming action-adventure, Varanasi, alongside Mahesh Babu.