Congress leader Shashi Tharoor has candidly admitted that he was mistaken in opposing India’s neutral stance on the Russia-Ukraine war when it first erupted in 2022. Speaking at the Raisina Dialogue in New Delhi, Tharoor acknowledged that India’s diplomatic approach has uniquely positioned the country to play a meaningful role in fostering peace.
“I am still wiping the egg off my face,” Tharoor admitted, recalling how he had criticized India’s neutrality in a parliamentary debate back in February 2022. At the time, he had strongly condemned Russia’s actions, arguing that India should have denounced the invasion for violating the UN Charter, national sovereignty, and the sanctity of borders. However, three years later, he recognized that India’s carefully balanced diplomacy had allowed Prime Minister Narendra Modi to engage with both Russia and Ukraine without hostility.
Tharoor pointed out how Modi can “hug both the president of Ukraine and the president in Moscow two weeks apart and be accepted in both places.” This, he noted, is a testament to India’s growing global credibility as a potential mediator in the conflict.
Additionally, he highlighted that India’s historical neutrality and geographical distance from Europe have strengthened its standing as a trusted diplomatic player. He even suggested that if a negotiated peace is achieved, India could consider sending peacekeepers, given that Russia is unlikely to accept European forces from NATO countries.
While clarifying that he was speaking in a personal capacity and not for the government, Tharoor’s admission underscores how India’s diplomatic patience has allowed it to emerge as a key voice in international peace efforts.
