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BJP upbeat as Shashi Tharoor acknowledges Modi’s diplomatic handling of Russia-Ukraine conflict

Tharoor's comments have sparked intense discussions across political circles, further intensifying the ongoing debate over India’s foreign policy approach under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership

South First Desk

Published Mar 19, 2025 | 3:31 PM ⚊ Updated Mar 19, 2025 | 3:31 PM

Centre names seven delegations under Operation Sindoor; Shashi Tharoor to lead US outreach

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Synopsis: Shashi Tharoor has sparked controversy within Congress after praising India’s handling of the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Speaking at the Raisina Dialogue, Tharoor admitted he was wrong in opposing India’s neutral stance in 2022. His comments, praising Modi’s approach to engage with both Kyiv and Moscow, have led to criticism within the Kerala Congress, prompting a review of his statements by KPCC

Senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor has once again found himself at the center of a political storm after acknowledging India’s diplomatic handling of the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

Speaking at the Raisina Dialogue in New Delhi, the Thiruvananthapuram MP admitted he had been wrong in opposing India’s neutral stance when the war broke out in 2022. 

Tharoor, who had urged the government to condemn the Russian aggression, conceded that Modi’s approach had strategically positioned India to engage with both Kyiv and Moscow.

“Clearly, the policy has meant that India 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,” Tharoor remarked.

His comments come amid growing controversy within Congress circles in Kerala, where he has already faced criticism for previously praising the CPI(M)-led state government’s efforts in developing the startup ecosystem. 

Tharoor’s latest remarks seem to align him with the government’s foreign policy, potentially igniting fresh debate within the Congress party.

Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president K Sudhakaran responded, stating that the party would review Tharoor’s comments.

The Raisina Dialogue, a prominent geopolitical conference hosted by the Observer Research Foundation in collaboration with the Ministry of External Affairs, saw Tharoor’s candid acknowledgment of India’s diplomatic approach during the ongoing conflict.

Also Read: Kerala BJP’s real shift or just poll optics?

BJP leaders praise Tharoor’s remarks

In response to Tharoor’s statement, BJP leaders expressed appreciation for his honesty and diplomatic insight. 

Kerala BJP State President K Surendran took to X (formerly Twitter) to commend Tharoor for recognising the success of Modi’s diplomacy regarding the Russia-Ukraine conflict. 

Surendran wrote, “I’ve always admired your candor. Your honesty in saying ‘I opposed it initially’ and now praising Modi diplomacy’s success on Russia-Ukraine is commendable.”

BJP National Secretary and Spokesperson Anil K Antony also lauded Tharoor’s acknowledgment, noting, “Dr. Shashi Tharoor, a seasoned diplomat, rightly acknowledges PM Modi’s balanced approach to India’s foreign policy during the ongoing conflict. By prioritizing national interests and maintaining strong ties with both Ukraine and Russia, India has positioned itself as a key player in fostering long-term peace.”

BJP MP Sudhanshu Trivedi emphasised Modi’s exceptional diplomatic skills, remarking, “Today, Shashi Tharoor’s statement at the Raisina Dialogue proves PM Modi’s extraordinary diplomatic abilities. He was the only PM to meet both Ukraine’s president Zelensky and Russia’s president Putin with equal warmth and receive welcoming gestures from both.”

Former BJP MP Rajeev Chandrasekhar said, “Good to see Cong men acknowledging the reality of PM Narendra Modi ji being  a global leader and that his vision for India and world is remarkably clear and admired by world.”

(Edited by Ananya Rao with inputs from Sreelakshmi Soman)

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