Shashi Tharoor Defends Praise for PM Modi’s US Visit, Emphasizes National Interest Over Party Lines
Shashi Tharoor Defends Praise for PM Modi’s US Visit, Emphasizes National Interest Over Party Lines
Congress Member of Parliament (MP) Shashi Tharoor recently clarified his stance on praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump. Speaking on Saturday, Tharoor emphasized that his comments were made with India’s national interests in mind, asserting that political leaders should not always be guided by party loyalties, especially when discussing matters of international significance.
Tharoor’s Support for Modi’s US Visit
Tharoor, the MP from Thiruvananthapuram, expressed his view that Prime Minister Modi’s visit to the U.S. was a positive development for India, particularly in strengthening the country’s global standing. He pointed out that Modi was the fourth world leader to meet President Trump after he assumed office, underscoring India’s growing influence on the world stage. Tharoor also acknowledged that the visit had yielded some beneficial outcomes for India, noting the agreement to hold trade and tariff negotiations over the next nine months, which he described as a win for India compared to the risk of unilateral tariff impositions by the U.S.
In his remarks, Tharoor emphasized, “It’s far better than Washington hastily and unilaterally imposing tariffs on us, which could have hurt our exports. To my mind, something good has been achieved, and I applaud that as an Indian.”
Praising Good Governance Regardless of Party
Tharoor was quick to address the criticism he faced for offering praise to a political opponent. He stressed that his approach has always been consistent throughout his political career—he acknowledges good governance regardless of the party in power. Tharoor underscored that as an elected MP, he speaks with a sense of responsibility and as a representative of his constituency, not as a party spokesperson.
“When someone in government, whether from the Congress or any other party, does something right, it should be acknowledged and praised. When they do something wrong, it should be criticised,” Tharoor said. He argued that fairness and an evidence-based approach are essential for credible political discourse.
In contrast to the often divisive nature of party politics, Tharoor pointed out that his long-standing approach has been to maintain balance—praising when warranted and criticizing when necessary. “If I were to praise all the time, no one would take me seriously. If I were to criticise all the time, no one would take me seriously either,” he added.
Navigating the Fine Line Between Criticism and Support
Tharoor’s statement also touched on a larger issue in Indian politics—the reflexive opposition between ruling and opposition parties. According to him, the real problem arises when political parties, whether in power or in opposition, automatically reject the actions of the other side without proper evaluation. This kind of reflexive opposition leads to a polarized environment that harms democratic discourse, he noted.
“The real problem arises when the opposition believes everything the government does is wrong, and when the government believes everything the opposition says is wrong,” Tharoor said. He stressed the importance of a more nuanced and cooperative approach in a healthy democracy, where there is room for both praise and criticism based on facts.
Tharoor further called for greater give-and-take between the political parties, a necessary feature of a vibrant democracy. By moving away from partisan criticism, the public discourse would be enriched and more focused on the well-being of the country, Tharoor argued.
Unanswered Questions and Unseen Diplomacy
While Tharoor praised the outcomes of PM Modi’s U.S. visit, he also highlighted certain aspects that were not addressed during the trip. One of the critical issues he raised was the ongoing challenge of illegal immigration and the repatriation of Indian nationals living illegally in the U.S.
Tharoor questioned whether PM Modi had raised this sensitive issue in private discussions with President Trump, acknowledging that in diplomacy, not everything is made public. He suggested that the public might not have been made aware of all the discussions that took place behind closed doors.
“Did PM Modi raise it behind closed doors? In diplomacy, not everything is laid out publicly,” Tharoor remarked, indicating that some aspects of international negotiations are often kept confidential for strategic reasons.
Tharoor’s Call for Fair Political Discourse
Ultimately, Shashi Tharoor’s comments serve as a reminder of the importance of objective political discourse. His praise for PM Modi’s positive outcomes from the U.S. visit was rooted in his commitment to India’s national interest. However, his recognition that not all issues were addressed, such as illegal immigration, reflects a desire for a more transparent approach to international negotiations.
Tharoor’s consistent approach to balancing praise and criticism, based on factual evaluation, stands in contrast to the partisan bickering that often dominates political conversations. His call for cooperation and fair judgment from both the ruling and opposition parties resonates as a call for more constructive dialogue in Indian politics.