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Tharoor emphasised the importance of peace talks and highlighted the positive steps taken, such as discussions between world leaders.
The Congress MP said the policy adopted by India following the outbreak of the conflict meant that the country has actually a prime minister who can hug both the president of Ukraine and the president in Moscow two weeks apart and be accepted in both places. (File photo)
Congress leader Shashi Tharoor on Wednesday once again backed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “consistent” position that favors a diplomatic solution to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict.
Tharoor emphasised the importance of peace talks and highlighted the positive steps taken, such as discussions between world leaders. He further stressed that finding a solution would be complex and require the involvement of all parties, including Ukraine and the European Union.
Read More: ‘Egg On My Face’: Shashi Tharoor On Opposing India’s Stance On Russia-Ukraine War, BJP Reacts
“At this stage, I’m not aware of India having been asked to do anything. Clearly, President Trump has taken the lead in talking to the Russians about this. Until such time, a country like India is invited to be involved; I think we should just watch and wait… All I will say is that we have a very long record in peacekeeping. So we have been available for constructive purposes, for peace. But even then, it would all depend on what kind of agreement this is and what is required in policing it…” he said as quoted by news agency ANI.
#WATCH | Delhi: On the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor says, “At this stage, I’m not aware of India having been asked to do anything. Clearly, President Trump has taken the lead in talking to the Russians about this. Until such time, a country like India is… pic.twitter.com/1RsgHG2MAA— ANI (@ANI) March 19, 2025
He further against speculation and stressed the need to allow those directly affected by the conflict to have a say in determining the best course of action. While acknowledging the leading role taken by some countries, the former MoS External Affairs said that India, with its history of peacekeeping efforts, could play a constructive role in any potential agreement that emerges.
VIDEO | On the Ukraine- Russia war, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) says, “Russia-Ukraine peace is absolutely important for the world but as our PM said peace can not be found on the battlefield. It will have to require some negotiation. We are glad that some process… pic.twitter.com/yiYJFKE1Yw— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) March 19, 2025
His remarks came after he conceded that he was left with an “egg on his face” in opposing India’s stance when the Russia-Ukraine war broke out and said due to the policy that was adopted, the country is now in a position where it can make a difference for lasting peace.
Speaking at the Raisina Dialogue, Tharoor conceded that India’s balanced approach has enabled the Prime Minister to engage with both Ukraine and Russia effectively.
“I am still wiping the egg off my face because I am one person in the parliamentary debate who actually criticised the Indian position in February 2022… the policy has meant that India actually has a prime minister who can hug both the president of Ukraine and the president in Moscow two weeks apart and be accepted in both places,” he had said.
#WATCH | On being asked about India’s decision to buy fuel from Russia amid the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor says, “I am still wiping the egg off my face because I was the one person in the parliamentary debate who had criticised the Indian position in… pic.twitter.com/1rekQNrLIc— ANI (@ANI) March 19, 2025
Tharoor had earlier criticised India’s stance when Russia attacked Ukraine and called for condemnation of the aggression.
BJP Hails Tharoor For His Changed Stance
Meanwhile, BJP leaders said it was “good to see” Congress leaders acknowledging PM Modi’s global stature and hoped that the party would not “act against” Tharoor for his candid praise of the Centre’s foreign policy.
BJP state president K Surendran said he has always admired the candor of the Congress MP.
He said the Thiruvananthapuram MP sees India’s global rise under PM Modi and it is “truly a refreshing take”.
“Dear @ShashiTharoor ji, I’ve always admired your candor. Your honesty in saying ‘I opposed it initially’ and now praising Modiplomacy’s success on Russia-Ukraine is commendable. Unlike your #INC peers, you see India’s global rise under PM @narendramodi ji, truly a refreshing take!” Surendran said in a post on X.
BJP IT cell chief Amit Malviya took a dig over Tharoor’s changed stance and said that it would leave Rahul Gandhi “red-faced”.
“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,” he said on X.
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.Congress… pic.twitter.com/zrU7xb5TYx
— Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya) March 19, 2025
BJP leader and former Union minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar said PM Modi’s vision for India and the world was even being admired by leaders from rival parties.
“Congress men, including Rahul (Gandhi), Chidambaram, Raghuram Rajan, are all having to eat their words (or egg on face) on economy, UPI, manufacturing and so much more,” Chandrasekhar said on X.
