Claim
Mani Shankar Aiyar, a senior Congress leader, signed the letter calling for talks with Pakistan.
“मणिशंकर अय्यर ने उस चिट्ठी में ये कौन है ये आपसे तो बड़े नेता हैं”▶ Watch source segment
Rationale
Multiple independent reports confirm that Mani Shankar Aiyar was among the 61 Indian signatories of the June 30, 2026 open letter (issued by the Centre for Peace and Progress) to PMs Modi and Shehbaz Sharif calling for restored diplomatic ties and resumed India-Pakistan dialogue. The anchor's core assertion that Aiyar signed the letter is correct; describing him as a 'senior Congress leader' is broadly fair given his long association with the party, though some reports style him as a 'former' Congress leader.
Evidence
- https://www.freepressjournal.in/india/dialogue-remains-the-only-viable-way-117-eminent-indians-pakistanis-write-to-pms-modi-and-sharif-seeking-peace-initiative Reports the June 30, 2026 joint appeal by 117 eminent Indians and Pakistanis to PMs Modi and Sharif seeking resumption of dialogue, and names Mani Shankar Aiyar among the 61 Indian signatories. ✓ reachable · archived
- https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/india/revive-bilateral-dialogue-restore-normal-ties-politicians-former-diplomats-from-india-pakistan-urge-both-govts/ Confirms politicians and former diplomats from India and Pakistan, including Aiyar, signed the letter urging both governments to revive bilateral dialogue and restore ties. ✓ reachable · archived
- https://theindiamoves.com/story/talks-with-pakistan-should-happen-mani-shankar-aiyar-and-humayun-kabir-among-those-who-wrote-to-pm-modi-and-shehbaz Hindi-language report explicitly naming Mani Shankar Aiyar among those who wrote to PM Modi and Shehbaz Sharif calling for talks with Pakistan. ✓ reachable · archived
- https://www.opindia.com/2026/07/read-who-are-the-indian-signatories-of-the-aman-ki-asha-letter-to-the-pms-of-india-and-pakistan/ Lists the Indian signatories of the letter, corroborating Aiyar's inclusion. ✓ reachable · archived