War Of Words: Shashi Tharoor Responds To Mani Shankar Aiyar Over Foreign Policy Remarks
Tharoor defends his foreign policy stance after criticism from Mani Shankar Aiyar.
Senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor has issued a sharp response to fellow party veteran Mani Shankar Aiyar in an open letter, saying that no individual or generation holds a “monopoly over patriotism.” The exchange comes after Aiyar criticised Tharoor’s remarks on foreign policy and India’s approach to the ongoing Iran–US conflict.
In his letter, published by NDTV, Tharoor said his views on international affairs have always been guided by a nationalist perspective that prioritises India’s interests, security and global standing. “Recognising geopolitical realities and weighing consequences for India's economy and strategic position is not moral surrender; it is responsible statecraft,” he wrote, defending his position on diplomatic pragmatism.
The dispute began after Aiyar wrote to Tharoor in a letter published in Frontline magazine on March 6, saying he was “shocked to the core” by Tharoor’s comments during a television interview discussing the Iran–US war. Aiyar accused him of endorsing a “might is right” approach and questioned his stance as chairman of the parliamentary standing committee dealing with foreign affairs.
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Responding to the criticism, Tharoor argued that India’s diplomatic tradition has long balanced principle with practical considerations. He pointed to the legacy of Jawaharlal Nehru and the policy of non-alignment, noting that India today navigates a complex multipolar world through what many analysts describe as “multi-alignment.” According to him, adapting these principles to contemporary geopolitical realities remains essential.
Tharoor also rejected Aiyar’s allegations regarding his foreign travels, calling them “baseless” and “beneath contempt.” He clarified that apart from participating in an all-party outreach following Operation Sindoor, his international visits were undertaken in a personal capacity and were neither requested nor financed by the government.
Reiterating his broader stance on regional diplomacy, Tharoor said India continues to seek peace but cannot remain passive in the face of security threats. “India, the land of the Buddha and the Mahatma, seeks peace,” he wrote, while adding that the country would not allow state-sponsored terrorism to take innocent lives without a firm response.
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