Shashi Tharoor urged a more assertive Indian foreign policy on April 9, 2026, warning that escalating global conflicts — including the Iran war — threaten regional stability and India’s economic security. He said New Delhi can no longer simply observe from the sidelines and must reassess how it protects long‑term national interests as major powers and regional players navigate a fragile peace process.
Tharoor argued that strategic caution has limits in the current environment, noting that India “can’t afford to be passive observers in a raging fire.” He framed active engagement as necessary to shield the country from spillover effects of distant conflicts, particularly when those conflicts have broad economic and humanitarian consequences for the Global South.
Noting recent diplomatic shifts, Tharoor flagged Pakistan’s unexpected role as a mediator in talks. He suggested personal ties between Pakistan’s General Asim Munir and the U.S. administration could be influencing Islamabad’s involvement, saying “Asim Munir’s relationship with Trump may be helping Pak.” Still, he urged calm: “Don’t think that Pak as mediator is setback for India,” and added that “India should have no problem with Pak’s mediator role.”
At the same time, Tharoor advised New Delhi to be ready to act if those mediation efforts falter. “If Pak mediation fails, India should see what it can do,” he said, while stressing he was “not suggesting India should get involved in talks.” The emphasis, he explained, is on being prepared to protect national interests without overextending diplomatic reach.
Tharoor highlighted concrete risks for India, including rising costs borne by Indians and other countries in the Global South, threats to energy security and disruptions affecting the diaspora. He warned that these economic and human-security stakes make it vital to keep relations with the West steady: “India must ensure there is no negativity in India‑U.S ties.”
Defending India’s recent restraint as deliberate rather than shameful, Tharoor said “India’s strategic silence is not a moral surrender,” but called for review within the foreign policy establishment. He urged officials to reflect on past choices and “analyse if we could’ve done anything differently,” so the country is better positioned for future crises.
Original Source: https://www.firstpost.com/india/if-pakistan-mediation-fails-india-should-see-what-it-can-do-shashi-tharoor-on-iran-war-13998381.html
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Publish Date: 2026-04-09 14:58:00
