New Delhi [India], March 19 : Congress MP Shashi Tharoor praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi's stance on the Russia-Ukraine conflict, emphasizing the need for a diplomatic solution.
Tharoor noted that PM Modi has consistently advocated for diplomacy, citing his statement in Samarkand where he said, "This is not an era of war, and solutions have been found peacefully."
Speaking to ANI on the sidelines of the Raisina Dialogue in New Delhi, senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor said, "PM Modi has taken a consistent position that the solution to this conflict has to come through diplomacy. In fact, you may remember his statement in Samarkand in front of President Putin, where he said this is not an era of war and that solutions have been found peacefully. We do seem to be at the beginning of a peace process of some sort."
Tharoor also highlighted the complexity of the peace process, stressing that it involves more than just two leaders talking. He emphasized the need for all parties, including Ukraine, to be involved in the negotiations.
"We know that President Trump and President Putin have spoken. We don't know what the outcome is. A peace process is a more complicated issue than just two leaders talking. There would need to be, first of all, the parties have to be involved. The Ukrainians will have to have a seat at the table. The European Union and the European countries in the neighbourhood, which have been very actively involved in the conflict, will demand and legitimately expect a seat at the table. There may be countries that will be invited to come in from outside to help maintain peace. That becomes the issue," said the Congress leader.
He highlighted that several nuances may come up during these discussions, such as whether the talks are focussed on a ceasefire, a peace settlement, a long-drawn-out process that ends in a durable solution, or an immediate ceasefire with a stalemate on the ground.
He said that speculation is "not a very useful exercise" and that "Ultimately, the principal actors are the ones with the guns on the ground and those who supply those guns. Let's be very honest. They are the ones who can decide the pace of any peace and how far it goes. So let's wait and see what comes out".
Tharoor also mentioned that India has a long history of peacekeeping and could potentially play a role in the peace process, but only if invited to do so.
"At this stage, I'm not aware of India having been asked to do anything...Until such time as a country like India is invited to be involved, I think we should just watch and wait, but I'm not in the government. I'm not privy to any private conversations that may or may not be happening. All I will say is that we have a very long record in peacekeeping. We've sent collectively in the last 75 years, maybe a quarter of a million peacekeepers around the world, 49 operations in different parts, all far away from our country. So we have been available for constructive purposes of peace, but even then, it would all depend on what kind of agreement this is and what is required in policing it," said Tharoor.
India inherited the role of peace negotiator from its legacy of national movement and its policy of Non-aligned movement in the post-World War II era. India has a rich experience of mediating for peacekeeping in international politics.
Notably, India was actively involved in negotiating peace in the Korean crisis (1950-53) during the Cold War. The Indian resolution on Korea was adopted by the UN in 1952. India succeeded in bringing consensus among major stakeholders like the US, the USSR, and China and helped to conclude an armistice agreement (1953).
India played a key role in mediating between the USSR and Austria for the withdrawal of Soviet troops and successfully convincing Austria to declare neutrality in 1955.
India co-chaired the International Commission for Supervision and Control during the war in Vietnam in the 1950s and 1960s.
India registered its protest against China's invasion of Vietnam in 1979 and counselled restraint on the Soviet Union's invasion of Afghanistan in the same year.
Moreover, India acts as a bridge between the Global South and North, as clearly evident from its efforts to include the African Union (AU) in the G20, amplifying southern voices.
India's healthy bilateral relations with various nations have helped develop a positive image in the international order. For example, Iran asked India to play a peacemaker role in de-escalating tension with the US after the killing of Iran's military commander in 2020. Peacebuilding through Development Partnership: For example, in Africa and Afghanistan, through ITEC Programmes, building infrastructure (such as the Salma dam), etc.
India's civilisational ethos is widely recognised and respected, and the philosophy of 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam' resonates globally, promoting harmony. India's potential as a bridging power stems from its longstanding commitment to engaging all major poles of influence (Russia, USA, Israel, Iran, Japan) in the international system.
India's active participation in multilateral forums like the United Nations Peacekeeping underscores its commitment to global peace and cooperation.
Tharoor also spoke about the return of astronaut Sunita Williams and how it is a matter of relief. Tharoor said, "She's a member of our diaspora, even though she wasn't born here or raised here, but she was somebody with a connection to our country, which adds a special dimension of satisfaction as a successful return."
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump has described his recent conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin as "productive. " Both leaders agreed to an immediate ceasefire on all energy and infrastructure. Ceasefire talks are set to begin in Jeddah on Sunday.
Russian News Agency TASS reported that the United States expects Ukraine to support agreements reached during a recent phone conversation between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump, as ceasefire talks are set to begin in Jeddah on Sunday, according to Trump's Special Envoy Steven Witkoff.
US President Donald Trump on Tuesday (local time) described his telephonic conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin as "productive," stating that both leaders agreed to an immediate ceasefire on all energy and infrastructure.
Trump in a post on his social media platform Truth Social, said they discussed elements of a peace agreement and that the ceasefire process is now in motion.