A
recent Indian delegation to the United States has raised eyebrows, particularly
because it was led not by Prime Minister Narendra Modi or External Affairs
Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar, but by senior Congress leader and former diplomat
Dr. Shashi Tharoor. This move has sparked debate in Indian political circles,
with many questioning why Modi and Jaishankar stayed in India while delegating
such an important international responsibility to a political opponent.
A Low-Key Briefing and Tharoor’s
Distance from the UN
The visit included a closed-door
briefing held at the Indian Consulate in the U.S., attended by a limited
audience—sparking criticism for its lack of transparency and inclusivity.
Interestingly, although Dr. Tharoor is widely respected for his long tenure at
the United Nations and international diplomatic experience, he has notably kept
a distance from the UN during this visit, leading to further speculation about
the intent and effectiveness of the mission.
Modi's Strategic Silence After 138
Foreign Visits
Since taking office in 2014, Prime
Minister Modi has made a record number of foreign trips—138 in total—including
9 visits to the United States, 5 to Russia, 6 to France, and 5 to China. Yet,
during a period of heightened regional tension following a four-day conflict between
India and Pakistan, Modi chose to remain in India. Instead of leading
diplomatic outreach himself, he has turned his focus to delivering aggressive
domestic speeches and holding rallies in various Indian states.
Shift in Diplomatic Strategy?
Observers point out that Modi has long
touted his close relationships with world leaders such as former U.S. President
Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. However, during the recent
conflict, no major international leader came forward to support Modi’s stance.
This silence has raised doubts about the effectiveness of his personal
diplomacy.
In response, the Indian government has
formed a multi-party delegation—led by Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and
Congress Party leader Dr. Shashi Tharoor—to represent India’s position abroad.
This approach has led critics to question whether Modi is attempting to share
the burden of foreign diplomacy or distance himself from potential backlash.
Tharoor’s Role: Strategic or Symbolic?
Dr. Shashi Tharoor, with his extensive
experience at the United Nations, is undeniably a credible representative on
the global stage. However, his presence in a key diplomatic mission while being
a vocal opposition leader suggests a complex political maneuver—perhaps aimed
at demonstrating national unity, or perhaps as a strategic shift in how India
presents its narrative to the world.
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