The support of senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor for India's approach to the current West Asia crisis involving the US-Israel and Iran has attracted attention, with the BJP leveraging the MP's position to criticize the Congress.
Tharoor characterized India's handling of the West Asia crisis as a demonstration of "responsible statecraft," noting that exercising restraint in such a tense scenario signifies strength rather than weakness.
Shashi Tharoor discusses India's reaction to the conflict in West Asia
Tharoor stated in an interview with news agency ANI that exercising restraint does not equate to giving up. Instead, it is a demonstration of strength, indicating that we are aware of our interests and will prioritize safeguarding them.
He mentioned that nations such as India should engage in a positive diplomatic effort to ease tensions. "What many countries similar to ours should be doing is to actively initiate calls for peace, providing both parties a way to de-escalate," he stated.
Although he backed the government's strategy regarding the crisis, he mentioned that India should have offered condolences sooner following the assassination of Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Khamenei, while still upholding a cautious diplomatic stance.
He stated that there is a distinction between condemnation and condolence, with condolence being an expression of sympathy.
The BJP criticizes Congress for Tharoor's support
The BJP swiftly criticized the Congress party for Tharoor's remarks endorsing India's 'restraint' stance on the West Asia issue.
CR Kesavan, the party spokesperson, noted that senior Congress leaders acknowledging Prime Minister Narendra Modi's measured stance amid ongoing global conflicts signifies a departure from the frequent criticisms by Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha.
He mentioned to ANI that it is certainly a refreshing shift from Rahul Gandhi's baseless critiques of the government. For the Prime Minister, the well-being of India and its citizens has always been of utmost importance.
BJP national spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia commended Tharoor's statements and criticized Congress' Gandhi for making comments that were 'reactive and politically motivated.'“He mentioned that prominent figures such as Shashi Tharoor and Manish Tewari have expressed a more sophisticated and accountable perspective on the matter, emphasizing the significance of strategic independence and diplomatic equilibrium.
Lawmakers respond to Tharoor's comments
In response to Tharoor's remarks supporting the government's position, Congress leader Supriya Shrinate expressed her disagreement and labeled India's lack of response to the crisis as 'condemnable.'
She stated, 'It's disgraceful and prompts concerns about our ethics. Historically, India has not been silent on targeted killings in independent countries. India has moved away from Iran and aligned itself with Israel.'
She remarked that India's diplomatic efforts are so ineffective that Russia, Pakistan, and China are now united. Furthermore, Iran has allowed several countries access to the Strait of Hormuz, but not India. She believes India's diplomacy is a complete failure, emphasizing that diplomacy cannot be conducted with aggressive gestures or forced embraces.
Congress leader Sandeep Dikshit responded to Tharoor's remarks, noting that the senior party MP has a unique perspective.
He mentioned to ANI, "We've observed for quite some time that Shashi Tharoor has a unique perspective. That's fine; it's his personal viewpoint... I believe he lacks understanding in several areas... If someone speaks without comprehension just to adopt a stance, it shouldn't be regarded seriously."
India's stance on the Middle East crisis
On Thursday, India expressed deep concern over the recent assaults on energy facilities in various areas of the Gulf region, noting that these incidents contribute to the growing uncertainty in the global energy landscape.
In response to media inquiries about the recent attacks, Randhir Jaiswal, the spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs, stated that assaults on civilian infrastructure, such as energy facilities, are intolerable and should cease immediately.