Congress leader Shashi Tharoor on Tuesday acknowledged that he was mistaken in criticizing India’s neutral stance on the Russia-Ukraine war, admitting that the policy has positioned the country as a potential mediator for lasting peace. His remarks came during an interactive session at the Raisina Dialogue in the national capital.
“I am still wiping the egg off my face because I was one of the few in the parliamentary debate who criticized India’s position back in February 2022,” the former Minister of State for External Affairs said. Tharoor had initially called for a stronger condemnation of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, arguing that it violated the UN Charter, the principle of inviolability of borders, and Ukraine’s sovereignty. However, three years later, he conceded that India’s balanced approach had enabled it to maintain strong relations with both Russia and Ukraine.
Highlighting Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent diplomatic outreach, Tharoor noted that India was in a unique position where its leader could visit both Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin within weeks and be welcomed in both capitals. He also suggested that if a peace deal were to emerge, India could play a role in sending peacekeepers, as Russia had rejected NATO peacekeepers.
“Speaking as an Indian parliamentarian, I don’t think there would be significant resistance to that idea,” Tharoor said, referencing India’s participation in over 49 peacekeeping missions worldwide.
Reacting to Tharoor’s remarks, BJP IT cell head Amit Malviya took a dig at the Congress leader and Rahul Gandhi, stating that the comments would put the opposition party in an awkward position. “This will likely leave Rahul Gandhi red-faced, with the Congress media department scrambling to clarify that Shashi Tharoor’s remarks reflect his personal views—not the party’s official stance—despite Tharoor having led the party’s charge on the issue in Parliament,” Malviya posted on X.
“Tharoor has admitted he was wrong in opposing India’s neutral stance on the Russia-Ukraine war in 2022. He acknowledged that India’s diplomatic balance has given Prime Minister Narendra Modi the unique position of being able to engage with both Ukraine and Russia without hostility,” Malviya added.
Tharoor’s comments highlight a significant shift in perspective as India’s foreign policy gains recognition for its ability to maintain strategic autonomy while engaging with global stakeholders. With the ongoing conflict in Ukraine showing no signs of resolution, India’s diplomatic efforts continue to be closely watched on the international stage.
