Overview
- In an Indian Express op-ed, Shashi Tharoor called New Delhi’s muted response to the US–Israel strikes on Iran “responsible statecraft,” arguing that silence can be strategic and is not cowardice.
- Tharoor acknowledged the action against Iran cannot be justified under international law and said India should have issued prompt condolences after Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s death.
- Congress MP Manish Tewari echoed the stance, saying the conflict is not India’s war and describing circumspection as strategic autonomy.
- BJP figures, including MoS Defence Sanjay Seth and party spokespeople, welcomed Tharoor’s position, while several Congress leaders publicly disagreed, underscoring internal divisions.
- India’s official gesture so far has been Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri signing the condolence book in New Delhi, as Tharoor highlighted stakes of roughly $200 billion in West Asia trade, heavy energy dependence, and about nine million Indians in the region.