Shashi Tharoor Reflects on India’s Position in Ukraine War Debacle

Shashi Tharoor expressed regret over criticizing India’s stance on the Ukraine war, admitting to having ‘egg on my face’. He believes India’s evolving position now allows it to facilitate lasting peace. Tharoor emphasized the importance of international laws violated during the conflict and noted India’s unique role in peacekeeping, indicating a willingness to participate if a mutual agreement occurs.

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor acknowledged feeling regret about criticizing India’s position during the initial stages of the Ukraine war in 2022. He described this reflection as having ‘egg on my face’ for opposing the stance that did not explicitly condemn Russia’s actions. Tharoor emphasized that India’s current approach enables it to contribute significantly to achieving lasting peace in the region.

During a previous session, Tharoor expressed concern about India’s ambiguous communication regarding the conflict, noting, “India has gone through a very complicated and challenging time in negotiating its own stand on the crisis.” He highlighted that the reluctance to upset Russia was evident in India’s early statements.

Tharoor pointed out that his criticisms were based on principles concerning international law and governments’ sovereign rights. He mentioned, “there was a violation of the UN charter, of the principle of inviolability of borders, and the sovereignty of Ukraine,” asserting India’s historical stance against using force to resolve disputes.

He further contended that India holds a unique strategic position with its geographical distance from Europe, which could allow the country to effectively facilitate peace efforts between Russia and Ukraine if needed. Tharoor noted he could not officially represent the government, as he is part of the opposition, but suggested that India would be open to the idea of sending peacekeepers if a mutual peace agreement was reached.

Reviewing past debates, Tharoor shared, “Speaking as an Indian parliamentarian, I don’t think there is going to be a lot of resistance to that idea,” contrary to resistance faced during considerations for sending troops to Iraq in 2003. He remained hopeful that a collective agreement could lead to Indian involvement in peacekeeping missions in Ukraine, demonstrating a willingness to adapt to international diplomatic efforts.

Shashi Tharoor’s reflections on India’s stance during the Ukraine conflict reveal his initial apprehensions regarding the criticism of government policy. His insights underscore India’s evolving position, which could now potentially aid in fostering peace between Ukraine and Russia. His willingness to consider peacekeeping underscores the importance of India’s diplomatic role internationally in conflict resolution.

Original Source: www.hindustantimes.com