Congress MP remark sparks mixed political reactions
New Delhi, March 19: Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has weighed in on the ongoing West Asia crisis, offering a nuanced defence of India’s diplomatic restraint and pushing back against critics who have described the government’s silence on the US-Israeli war on Iran as a moral failure, instead terming New Delhi’s approach as “responsible statecraft”.
In an opinion piece published in The Indian Express, Tharoor argued that while the conflict may violate international law, India’s foreign policy must strike a balance between principle and pragmatism, prioritising national interest, regional stability and strategic partnerships over rhetorical condemnation.
“In the last couple of weeks, many Indian liberals have turned their ire inward, accusing those of us who have not condemned the government’s silence on the US-Israeli war against Iran of moral cowardice. In the American phrase, it has become a ‘circular firing squad’ — shooting on ourselves. They want us all to demand that India should have taken the moral high ground, denouncing the war as a flagrant violation of international law,” he wrote.
His remarks come at a time when sections within his own party have criticised the government’s “silence”.
Interestingly, Tharoor also recalled late Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru’s non-alignment policy to justify the current government’s stance on the conflict in West Asia.
Responding to these criticisms, Tharoor clarified his position, stating, “Let me state clearly: I concur that the war cannot be justified under international law. It violates the very principles India has historically stood for — respect for sovereignty, non-aggression, and peaceful resolution of disputes. Nor, as I have explained earlier, is there a case for pre-emptive self-defence either.”
He said that India “should have promptly issued condolences” on the death of the Supreme Leader of Iran, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, as it did when its late President was killed in a helicopter crash.
Political leaders divided over Tharoor’s remarks
Tharoor’s remarks defending India’s diplomatic restraint have sparked sharp reactions from leaders across the political spectrum, with some supporting his position while others criticised the Centre for what they described as an unclear foreign policy stance.
Reacting to Tharoor’s comments, Congress MP Tariq Anwar told IANS the views expressed by the senior leader may be personal and stressed that the government should clearly define India’s position amid the escalating conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran.
RJD MP Manoj Kumar Jha also expressed disagreement with Tharoor’s assessment, saying India’s diplomatic tradition has historically been guided by moral positioning in global conflicts.
“I am aware of Shashi Tharoor’s talent, but I cannot fully agree with his analysis. If you look at India’s diplomatic corridor historically, you will see that even when we were not economically strong and had just become independent, we still took a moral position based on global balance, rather than deciding merely whether to act or not. What more can I say beyond that? I do not agree with his point, and I have written about this before. I am also responding to him now,” Jha told IANS.
Meanwhile, Rajasthan Minister Jogaram Patel backed Tharoor’s remarks, saying the Congress MP is known for presenting well-considered views on foreign policy matters.
“Shashi Tharoor is known for speaking the right things. He has represented India abroad for a long time and expresses his views frankly. Even now, what he has said is correct, and the Congress should accept it,” Patel said. (IANS)
