Congress leader and former Union Minister Anand Sharma announced his resignation as Chairman of the All India Congress Committee’s (AICC) Foreign Affairs Department, a position he held for nearly a decade since the department’s last reconstitution in 2018. The announcement, reported by Deccan Herald and echoed across multiple platforms including X, marks a notable shift within the Indian National Congress, one of India’s oldest and most prominent political parties. Sharma, a senior leader from Himachal Pradesh and a member of the Congress Working Committee (CWC), cited the need to facilitate the department’s reconstitution and bring in younger leaders as the primary motivation for his decision.
Sharma’s resignation comes at a time when the Congress is navigating internal challenges and preparing for upcoming electoral battles, including assembly polls in Delhi and Bihar. His departure from the Foreign Affairs Department, while continuing as a CWC member, has sparked discussions about the party’s efforts to rejuvenate its leadership and adapt to changing political dynamics. Posts on X reflect varied sentiments, with some users viewing the move as a sign of internal churn, while others interpret it as a strategic step to empower the next generation of Congress leaders.
A Decade of Leadership in Foreign Affairs
Anand Sharma, a seasoned politician and a prominent figure in the Congress, has been a key voice in shaping the party’s stance on international affairs. As Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Department, Sharma led efforts to articulate Congress’s positions on global issues, fostering dialogue on India’s foreign policy and strengthening the party’s international outreach. His tenure saw the department engage with critical geopolitical developments, including India’s relations with major powers and its role in multilateral forums.
Sharma’s decision to step down is framed as a proactive move to enable the induction of younger leaders into the department, aligning with the Congress’s broader push for organizational renewal. In a letter to Congress president Sonia Gandhi, Sharma reportedly emphasized the need for fresh perspectives to address the evolving global landscape, a sentiment echoed in his public statements. The move has been described as a “statesmanlike” gesture by some party insiders, reflecting Sharma’s commitment to the Congress’s long-term growth.
Context of Internal Dynamics: The G-23 Connection
Sharma’s resignation cannot be viewed in isolation from his association with the G-23, a group of 23 Congress leaders who, in 2020, called for sweeping organizational reforms within the party. The G-23, which included prominent figures like Ghulam Nabi Azad, Bhupinder Singh Hooda, and Manish Tewari, advocated for transparent elections at all levels of the party, from the block to the Congress Working Committee, to revitalize its political fortunes. Sharma, a vocal member of this group, had previously expressed concerns about the party’s decision-making processes, notably in 2022 when he resigned as chairman of the Congress’s steering committee for the Himachal Pradesh assembly elections, citing exclusion and lack of consultation.
His 2022 resignation, which followed Azad’s exit from a key party post in Jammu and Kashmir, was seen as a signal of dissent within the G-23 faction. Sharma’s letter to Sonia Gandhi at the time highlighted his frustration over being sidelined in party consultations, stating that his “self-respect is non-negotiable.” While Sharma reiterated his lifelong commitment to Congress ideology, his latest resignation in 2025 appears to reflect a continuation of his push for internal reform and inclusivity. Some X posts have speculated whether this move indicates deeper dissatisfaction, with one user suggesting, “People who are having self-respect and want the freedom to express their own brain are leaving the sinking ship?”
Implications for Congress’s Future
Sharma’s exit from the Foreign Affairs Department comes at a critical juncture for the Congress, which is grappling with recent electoral reverses and preparing for significant state elections. The party’s top decision-making body, the CWC, is set to deliberate on strategies for polls in Delhi and Bihar, with a focus on potential alliances and leadership restructuring. Sharma’s resignation is seen as an opportunity for the Congress to inject new energy into its foreign affairs wing, which plays a crucial role in shaping the party’s narrative on global issues amid rising geopolitical tensions.
The move has also sparked discussions about the Congress’s ability to balance its veteran leadership with emerging talent. While Sharma remains a CWC member, his decision to step down from a key role suggests a willingness to make way for younger leaders, a priority the party has emphasized in recent years. However, some analysts caution that the departure of experienced figures like Sharma could weaken the party’s institutional memory, particularly in specialized areas like foreign policy. An X post by @Pankujasrotia11 noted, “Resignation from such a key post signals internal churn, even if Anand Sharma stays in the CWC,” highlighting the potential ripple effects within the party.
A Legacy of Service and Future Prospects
Anand Sharma’s political career spans over four decades, beginning with his entry into the Rajya Sabha in 1984 under the mentorship of then-Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. A former Union Minister and deputy leader of the Congress in the Rajya Sabha, Sharma has held several key positions, including roles in the Ministry of External Affairs, making him a natural fit for the Foreign Affairs Department. His contributions to Himachal Pradesh politics, where he is considered one of the state’s tallest leaders, have also been significant, with his involvement in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections underscoring his enduring influence.
Despite his resignation, Sharma has reaffirmed his commitment to the Congress, dispelling speculations about leaving the party. His decision to continue campaigning for Congress candidates, as he did in Himachal Pradesh following his 2022 resignation, suggests that he will remain an active player in the party’s future. The Congress leadership, including Sonia Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge, and Rahul Gandhi, now faces the task of appointing a new chairman for the Foreign Affairs Department, with names of younger leaders already circulating within party circles.
