Shashi Tharoor Reflects on India’s Position on Ukraine War
Shashi Tharoor expressed regret over his previous criticism of India’s stance on the Russia-Ukraine war, stating he now feels he has “egg on my face.” He acknowledged that India is now positioned to potentially facilitate lasting peace. Tharoor emphasized India’s adherence to international law and indicated an openness to peacekeeping roles if a peace agreement is established between the conflicting nations.
Shashi Tharoor, a Member of Parliament from Congress, expressed regret regarding his earlier criticism of India’s position on the Russia-Ukraine war. Reflecting on this stance, he stated that he now feels he has “egg on my face” because India’s decisions have positioned it to potentially contribute to sustained peace in the future. Tharoor had initially called for the condemnation of Russian aggression at the onset of the conflict in 2022.
In a statement regarding India’s response to the Ukraine crisis, Tharoor remarked, “India has gone through a very complicated and challenging time in negotiating its own stand on the crisis.” He asserted that India’s initial hesitance in condemning Russia demonstrated a reluctance to cause offense to Moscow. At an event hosted by the Raisina Dialogue, he acknowledged his previous criticisms during parliamentary debates from February 2022.
Tharoor emphasized that his objections stemmed from clear violations of international laws, including the UN Charter and the principles governing national sovereignty, as he stated, “There was a violation of the UN charter…the sovereignty of a member state namely Ukraine.” He articulated that India is uniquely positioned to facilitate lasting peace due to its geopolitical stance and relationships, differentiating its approach from that of many other countries.
While he clarified that he could not officially represent the government due to his opposition role, Tharoor hinted at the possibility of India considering peacekeeping arrangements if a consensus peace is reached between Russia and Ukraine. He indicated a potential openness among Indian parliamentarians to such suggestions, contrasting it with the strong resistance evident during a request in 2003 to send Indian troops to Iraq, concluding, “I think there would be some willingness to consider [peacekeeping] if it were necessary and there was an agreed peace.”
Shashi Tharoor’s reflection on India’s stance concerning the Russia-Ukraine war reveals a complex understanding of international relations. He acknowledges the challenges and regrets his criticism of India’s initial reluctance to condemn Russian actions. Tharoor’s insights suggest that India holds significant potential for contributing to peace in the region, should conditions allow, emphasizing India’s unique geopolitical status and historical principles regarding sovereignty and peacekeeping.
Original Source: www.hindustantimes.com
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