Congress Member of Parliament Shashi Tharoor on Saturday took a sharp swipe at Pakistan while commenting on its emerging role in facilitating talks between the United States and Iran. Defending India’s diplomatic approach to the ongoing Middle East crisis, Tharoor highlighted what he described as key differences between New Delhi’s strategic stance and Islamabad’s geopolitical compulsions.

His remarks came amid high-level engagements in Islamabad, where delegations from Washington and Tehran have arrived for negotiations. Tharoor’s comments also referenced a viral social media post by Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, which reportedly included an unusual “draft” header, sparking speculation about external influence in its composition.

Questioning the nature of Pakistan’s relationship with the United States, Tharoor suggested that the post appeared to mirror messaging from Donald Trump. He remarked that allegations had surfaced claiming the tweet may have been drafted in Washington, adding that such a scenario would be unlikely in India’s political context. “Only Pakistan can play the kind of role it has played with Washington,” Tharoor said.

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Addressing Pakistan’s involvement as a potential mediator in the US-Iran conflict, Tharoor pointed out that Islamabad’s geographic and demographic realities shape its approach. He noted that Pakistan shares a long border with Iran and could face immediate consequences, including refugee inflows, if the conflict escalates, giving it a direct stake in the situation.

In contrast, Tharoor emphasized that India’s interests lie primarily in ensuring regional stability and safeguarding its economic and diaspora concerns. With over one crore Indians living in Gulf countries and energy supplies affected by the conflict, he said India’s priority is a peaceful resolution rather than participation in mediation efforts.

Responding to criticism from within his own party that Pakistan’s role reflects a setback for Indian diplomacy, Tharoor dismissed such claims. He described India as a responsible stakeholder in global affairs, adding that diplomatic restraint can sometimes be a strategic choice. “Sometimes, that useful contribution may truly be in silence,” he said, underscoring the importance of calibrated engagement in complex international crises.

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