Senior Congress leader and Thiruvananthapuram MP Shashi Tharoor has clarified that his recent praise for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s meeting with former US President Donald Trump was made purely in the broader interest of India and not from a partisan perspective. Addressing reporters, Tharoor emphasized that national interest should take precedence over party considerations, stating, “We cannot always speak only in terms of party interest.” He asserted that when the country stands to benefit from a diplomatic engagement, it is necessary to acknowledge the positive outcomes regardless of political affiliations.
Tharoor elaborated that the meeting between Modi and Trump had led to beneficial results for India, particularly in key areas such as trade, and as an Indian, he believed in giving credit where it was due. “To my mind, it appears that something good has been achieved, and I applaud that as an Indian. In this particular case, I am speaking solely in the national interest,” he said.
He further clarified that his views were based on his role as an elected representative accountable to the people of Thiruvananthapuram rather than as a spokesperson for the Congress party. Tharoor emphasized his independent approach to politics, stating that he has always maintained a balanced perspective—acknowledging and praising good governance when warranted while also holding the government accountable when necessary.
During Modi’s two-day visit to the United States, several major concerns were addressed, according to Tharoor. He highlighted the significance of India’s trade discussions, noting that fears of Washington making abrupt policy decisions that could hurt Indian exports were mitigated by diplomatic negotiations. “I think that's a very good outcome because otherwise, the fear was that there might be some hasty decisions made in Washington that would have affected our exports. This way, there is time to discuss and negotiate,” he said.
Despite his praise for certain aspects of the visit, Tharoor was also critical of areas where key issues remained unresolved. He pointed out that the question of repatriation of illegal Indian immigrants in the US was not publicly addressed, raising concerns about whether it was discussed privately. “Did PM Modi raise it behind closed doors? In diplomacy, not everything is laid out publicly,” he remarked, suggesting that certain aspects of the visit required further scrutiny.
Tharoor also took the opportunity to highlight what he sees as a troubling trend in Indian politics—the tendency of parties to engage in reflexive opposition rather than constructive debate. He warned against an increasingly polarized political environment in which the ruling party dismisses every suggestion from the opposition outright, and the opposition, in turn, rejects all government policies without proper evaluation. “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. There has to be some give and take in a democracy,” he asserted.
He stressed the importance of fostering a democratic culture that values both dialogue and dissent, rather than blind opposition or unquestioning support. According to Tharoor, a responsible opposition should not hesitate to commend good policies while simultaneously being vigilant about holding the government accountable for its shortcomings. He reiterated that his stance was guided by fairness and facts rather than political convenience, adding, “I have done both—I have praised and I have criticized. In fairness, I base my stance on facts. That, I believe, is the right approach.”
Tharoor’s remarks highlight his broader philosophy of politics—one that prioritizes national interest over partisan rivalry and seeks to create a more constructive political discourse. While his balanced stance has occasionally drawn criticism from sections of his own party, he has consistently defended his approach, arguing that democracy thrives on reasoned debate and not on rigid ideological divisions. His comments reflect a call for greater political maturity, urging leaders across party lines to engage in meaningful discussions rather than engaging in knee-jerk opposition or unconditional support.
