Shashi Tharoor’s recent statement about India’s foreign policy, particularly regarding its balanced approach to the Russia-Ukraine conflict, suggests a shift in perspective within the opposition. While he had initially criticized India’s stance in 2022, he now acknowledges that the policy has strengthened India’s global position.

However, whether the entire opposition in India accepts this viewpoint is a different question. While some leaders, including Tharoor, might recognize India’s growing diplomatic influence, many opposition parties continue to question aspects of the government’s foreign policy, especially concerning economic and strategic interests.

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Congress MP Shashi Tharoor reiterated his position on India’s diplomatic approach, stating that his earlier comments required no further explanation. Speaking to ANI, he said, “The comments speak for themselves. Nothing to add.”

Admitting a Change in Opinion

During a panel discussion at the Raisina Dialogue,  Sashi Tharoor reflected on his previous stance regarding India’s neutral position in the Russia-Ukraine conflict. He admitted that he had initially criticized the government’s approach in February 2022 but now recognized the benefits of India’s diplomatic balance.

“I am still wiping the egg off my face because I was one person in the parliamentary debate who actually criticised the Indian position at the time back in February 2022,” he said.

BJP Reacts to Tharoor’s Statement

BJP leader Amit Malviya took a swipe at Congress and its leader Rahul Gandhi following Tharoor’s remarks. He claimed that Tharoor’s statement could put the Congress party in an awkward position, prompting its media department to clarify that these were his personal views and not the party’s official stance.

“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.

He further pointed out that Tharoor had now admitted his mistake in opposing India’s neutral stance, acknowledging that this policy allowed Prime Minister Narendra Modi to maintain strong diplomatic ties with both Ukraine and Russia.

Tharoor’s Justification for His Initial Criticism

Tharoor explained why he had originally condemned Russia’s actions in Ukraine. He argued that India’s foreign policy had traditionally supported the principles of sovereignty and non-aggression.

“There was a violation of the UN Charter, sovereignty of a member state, namely Ukraine. We had always stood for the inviolability of borders of a sovereign state, the inadmissibility of the use of force to settle international disputes, and all of those principles had been violated by one party, and we should have condemned it,” he said.

However, he now acknowledged that India’s neutral approach had given it a unique advantage. He stated, “Well, three years later, it does look like I am the one with egg on my face because clearly, the policy has meant that India actually has a Prime Minister who can hug both the president of Ukraine and the president of Moscow two weeks apart and be accepted in both places. Therefore, India is in a position where it can make a difference to a lasting peace if it was so required in ways that very few countries would be able to.”

Global Perspective on the Russia-Ukraine War

Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022. Since then, world leaders, including US President Joe Biden, have engaged in discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin regarding potential ceasefire negotiations. Meanwhile, former US President Donald Trump recently commented on Truth Social, describing these talks as “productive conversations” aimed at ending the “horrible war.”