Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has once again taken a stand different from his party. Tharoor has supported the Modi government's silence in the ongoing conflict between America, Israel and Iran. This time, Tharoor said that this silence is not cowardice but responsible diplomacy. Tharoor clarified that India's silence on the Iran issue is not support for war but awareness of national interest.
While the Congress party is constantly raising questions about this silence of the government. Senior Congress leader Sonia Gandhi had said that the government's silence on the targeted assassination of Khamenei is not neutrality but 'irresponsibility'. This raises questions about the credibility of India's foreign policy. Sonia Gandhi called this a big blow to India's foreign policy. Similarly, Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi in the Lok Sabha said that India's stance on condemning unilateral military action should be 'morally clear'. Gandhi appealed to the government to be more proactive on the issue.
But Shashi Tharoor has deviated from the party line on the issue. He said that in such a complex international situation, India should prioritize its national interests. India has energy ties with Iran while it has strong security and technology ties with Israel. In such a situation, supporting any one party can harm national interests. According to Tharoor, this silence is actually a symbol of a balanced foreign policy. He asserted that this is not cowardice but strategic diplomacy.
This issue is bringing a new equation in global politics. Iran's actions against America and Israel have cast a cloud of concern over the Middle East. India has always maintained neutrality in such conflicts. Tharoor has termed this policy of the Modi government as 'prudence'. Tharoor said that reality is more important than emotions in foreign policy. If India condemns any party, its economic and strategic interests will be affected. This silence is necessary considering the oil import from Iran and defense cooperation with Israel.
Other leaders of the Congress party call this a weakness of the government, but Tharoor believes that this policy makes India stronger. He has previously given different opinions from the party on foreign policy issues. This time his stance is in the news again. Analysts say that this statement of Tharoor exposes internal differences in the Congress.
In summary, it can be said that Indian foreign policy has always been based on the principle of "Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam". Even in adverse times and crises, India has strengthened its image in the world by maintaining neutrality. Only if we give priority to national interests, India's place in the world will be stronger. Unity is necessary in foreign policy, but strategy is more important.
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