Congress MP Shashi Tharoor strongly defended India’s decision not to criticize the US attack on Iran, including the assassination of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, emphasizing the value of neutrality amid global conflict.[file:previous context]
India’s Prudent Neutrality Amid Global Silence
Tharoor highlighted that of 193 UN member states, few have openly condemned America, questioning why India should lead such criticism. He praised PM Modi’s balanced approach as strategically sound for India’s interests, avoiding entanglement in the US-Iran war that erupted after Khamenei’s February 28 killing in US-Israel strikes.
Why Neutrality Benefits India
In the ongoing Middle East crisis—with Iranian missile retaliation on Gulf states, US evacuations, and Strait of Hormuz disruptions—India’s neutral position safeguards its energy imports, 10 million expats, and diplomatic ties with both powers. Tharoor noted he would advise the same if consulted, prioritizing national pragmatism over reactive posturing.
Echoes in Broader Context
This stance aligns with India’s response to related incidents like the US torpedoing of IRIS Dena, where the Navy aided humanitarian efforts without military intervention, and Modi’s condemnation of UAE strikes while eyeing Gulf escorts. Tharoor’s comments counter domestic propaganda urging confrontation, reinforcing strategic autonomy
