NEW DELHI — Speaking at the NDTV Keralam Power Play summit on Thursday, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor characterized U.S. President Donald Trump as “unpredictable” and “unreliable,” noting that the world has never seen a leader like him at the helm of a superpower.
Tharoor’s critique centered on Trump’s unconventional diplomacy and the legal ramifications of the ongoing U.S.-Israel-Iran conflict.
Key Takeaways from Tharoor’s Critique:
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Erratic Messaging: Tharoor expressed bafflement over Trump’s habit of conducting foreign policy via “all caps” tweets, noting that the President’s contradictory timelines for the war make it difficult for world leaders to take his statements at face value.
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International Law: The former diplomat stated clearly that the U.S. has violated Iran’s sovereignty and broken international law, urging India to play a firmer role in resolving the Middle East crisis.
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India’s Diplomatic Stand: He praised the Indian government for maintaining “self-respect” and refusing to become “subordinate” to Washington, contrasting India’s stance with what he termed the “craven submission” of other regional actors.
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Strategic Interests: Tharoor argued that while India shouldn’t be a “running commentator” on world affairs, it must prioritize its own interests—specifically oil and gas security—while maintaining ties with Gulf allies.
The “Grandstanding” Balance:
Tharoor suggested that while “moralistic grandstanding” against the U.S. is unnecessary due to India’s vast interests, New Delhi should not have hesitated to express formal sympathy for the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, as a matter of diplomatic decency.
