Shashi Tharoor Advocates Restraint Amidst Congress Criticism of Government's Foreign Policy

While the Congress party has been vocally criticizing the central government's silence regarding the conflict between the US, Israel, and Iran, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has taken a different stance by supporting the government's position. He described the government's approach not as a moral failure but as responsible governance. In a conversation with a news outlet, the MP from Thiruvananthapuram stated that if he were to advise the Congress party, he would suggest they exercise restraint at this time, similar to the current stance of the central government. He emphasized that restraint is not a sign of defeat but a demonstration of strength.

 

Tharoor remarked that if he were advising the Congress government, his counsel would be to maintain composure. He reiterated that restraint is not about surrender; rather, it is a strength that reflects an understanding of one’s interests and a commitment to safeguarding them. Notably, prior to Tharoor's comments, senior Congress leader Sonia Gandhi had raised concerns about the central government's foreign policy, suggesting it casts serious doubts on the direction and credibility of India's foreign relations.

Earlier, Congress MP Manish Tewari also supported the government's balanced approach to the conflict in West Asia, asserting that India has historically played a limited role in the region and should prioritize strategic autonomy. Addressing the escalating tensions among Iran, Israel, and the US, he stated that given the complexity and scale of the crisis, New Delhi's cautious diplomatic stance is appropriate.

Tewari emphasized that the region is witnessing not just one war but multiple conflicting struggles. He noted that the ongoing situation between Israel and Iran, along with the US's support for one side, is not merely a Middle Eastern issue... it is not our war. He also highlighted the importance of India avoiding entanglement in geopolitical conflicts that do not directly concern it.

 

Reiterating the significance of maintaining restraint, Tewari stated that India is taking the right steps by being vigilant. He added that if we are cautious, we are likely making the right choices, as strategic autonomy means the ability to protect one’s interests and move forward in the right direction. Since the onset of the crisis, India has consistently called for dialogue and diplomacy while balancing its interests across the region.