My latest #TharoorThink column in the @IndianExpress explains why I have not joined the widespread liberal critique of the Indian government’s “moral failure” to condemn the US-Israeli attack on Iran. India has too much at stake to indulge in the morally gratifying grandstanding that could have placed vital national interests at risk. As the late Kofi Annan advised me, citing a Ghanaian proverb: “never hit a man on the head when you have your fingers between his teeth!”

My 16 counter arguments to Dr. Tharoor's column. 1. When Dr. Shashi Tharoor calls Indian liberals a “firing squad” for questioning the government, he does two things at once. He delegitimizes dissent and shields the government. Asking questions is the bare minimum function of a democracy. 2. Dr. Tharoor is giving a sort of disclaimer to people who like him so that he can influence them. He is trying to establish moral authority first, which he then dilutes in the name of pragmatism. It’s a way of saying: I know this is right, but I will stray away from it. 3. Yes, Jawaharlal Nehru balanced pragmatism with principle, but he never used pragmatism as an excuse to mute principle altogether. That’s the distinction he blurs. India spoke loudly on colonialism, apartheid, and other global injustices. Nehru protected India’s interests without surrendering its voice. We are missing that voice today. 4. When Dr. Tharoor talks about “multi-alignment with diverse powers,” he excludes the one power central to the crisis at hand that is Iram and its leverage over the Strait of Hormuz. If Iran can choke global energy supply, it is already shaping India’s national interest. People are suffering because of the LPG crisis, businesses have shut down, and there have been deaths due to people waiting in queues. The solution to this crisis is not there. 5. Dr. Tharoor claims that the objective remains safeguarding Indian sovereignty, but when officials in Washington publicly signal what "good actor" is “allowed” to do on oil imports, whose sovereignty is actually being compromised? 6. You say the values of Mahatma Gandhi should be applied wisely, but this seems selective. He did not argue for convenient morality. He insisted that means must be as pure as the ends. 7. Yes, India did exercise restraint during the events you described during the cold war era, but to present that as a template today will not be good and to justify silence using that template is clear regression. You yourself said this is an age of multi-alignment, which means we have room for maneuvers with multiple actors. That was a bipolar time with heavy dependence and we did not have such flexibility then. Today, we have more economic weight, greater diplomatic reach, and far more strategic flexibility. 8. You acknowledge the U.S. and Gulf stakes, but how do you ignore Iran? It controls the Strait of Hormuz, as it has demonstrated, choking global oil supplies. That alone should raise India’s stakes in this conflict. You can’t claim multi-alignment while ignoring a regional power like Iran, especially with its close association with Russia and China. 9. Invoking Donald Trump to justify silence is flawed. India’s foreign policy positions cannot depend on the kind of government sitting in Washington. That is itself an admission of diluted sovereignty. There should be no fear of Donald Trump lashing out. 10. You argues that our defence, tech partnerships, and China concerns hinge on Washington. But recent signals from U.S. officials that they won’t “repeat the mistake of letting another power rise” should raise a red flag. We are on our own. Washington wants India against China in the Indo-Pacific, while India wants support in the Indian Ocean. India is not invested in the Pacific in the same way. Interests overlap, but they do not align. India’s conflict with China is a land boundary issue, and the U.S. will not fight a Himalayan war. Pakistan used Chinese military support during Operation Sindoor, yet faced no lasting isolation from Washington. In fact, it has drawn closer. 11. If you admit we have low leverage then that should raise a question why we were kept under delusion for all these years that we have "arrived" ? If that is the case we cannot truly claim multi-alignment without a significant leverage. That is precisely why we are effectively in the U.S.-Israel bloc today. 12. Silence without leverage cannot be a strategy. It is simple submission. When a boat cannot steer its own course, it gets towed away. We are waiting for the conflict to resolve itself, even as our people suffer. Will "national interest" wait for the cessation of war? 13. Foreign policy is where moral weight must counter raw might. Gandhi's moral weight could instill fear in the all powerful Brits. No one is asking for reckless grandstanding. But reducing every moral position to “pragmatism” is simply a convenient and cowardly alibi for silence. 14. You invoke Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru precisely because of their moral weight and you gather legitimacy. But you cannot borrow their legacy to legitimatize this eerie silence. To cite them while arguing for restraint in the face of injustice is not what they stood for. If their names still carry power, it is because they spoke when it mattered, not because they stayed silent when it was convenient. They are relevant for a reason. 15. Calling restraint “strength” may sound persuasive, but why is this restraint selective, and why does it appear to appease the aggressor? Araghchi said the same thing to Macron, why are you not calling out US and Israel for starting this war. 16. This is not responsible statecraft. This is opportunistic hedging, based on the assumption that Iran’s leadership might fall. It does not consider the possibility that it will endure. This is not strategy, this is hedging.

@ShashiTharoor @IndianExpress But where is the silence when the PM goes to one party and declares his support?

@ShashiTharoor @IndianExpress You are misreading this situation. Because India chose sides – PM's Israel visit just before war, condemning attacks on UAE but not condoling Khamenei death etc – is why our FM is now calling Araghchi everyday to plead releasing our tankers. Should have stayed neutral, like NATO.

@ShashiTharoor @IndianExpress well said , now make 4th generation dynast Raga understand this

@ShashiTharoor @IndianExpress You forget to tag Modi and PMO….probably they are the only one who agrees with ur opinion

@grok A new interpretation of Dharma. Moral gratification is secondary for all avocations? Does @INCIndia believe in this precept? @RahulGandhi @priyankagandhi @KapilSibal Moral gratification is secondary for the largest democracy on Earth? Dignity of Bharata - Dharmika sense allowed opportunistic silence when Iran is putting up a heroic fight?

@ShashiTharoor @IndianExpress

@ShashiTharoor @IndianExpress What a dishonest take. The government has categorically not been silent. They have made dozens of statements condemning Iranian strikes on the Gulf and none condemning the strikes on Iran. They’ve picked a side The entire basis of this article is therefore incorrect.

A great quote from Sri Kofi Annan, Sir. Hope someone explained to @RahulGandhi what you wrote in English. As far as I know he can only understand white papers bound in a beautiful cover or knows to tear what he does not understand like a ordinance. You are the greatest of the great , Sir still continuing in a party of which he thinks he is leader. @RahulGandhi @INCIndia @kharge @ShashiTharoor

@ShashiTharoor @IndianExpress Hug the US & Israel Even if expats are at risk in Gulf Even if oil,gas,fertilizer supplies have gone past the state of risk& Rupee is at 94 Even if Trump puts 50%/18% tarriffs Even if ship & crew are sunk And 1000's are bombed, oil depots, gas fields & desalination plants are lit

@ShashiTharoor @IndianExpress A pragmatic take—sometimes restraint isn’t silence, it’s strategy. In a multipolar world, safeguarding long-term national interests often matters more than short-term moral posturing.

@ShashiTharoor @IndianExpress Mr. Tharoor's article clearly biased against Congress if not against Iran ! We all know Modi ji's inclination towards Israel is more anti-Muslims stance in India than Economic or strategic more benefit than Iran !!

📍It is only our PM’s fingers that’s between the teeth of US and Israel and certainly not that of a huge democracy like India’s !! 📍Why give away the policies and stances of India for the personal agenda of the PM ??!! 📍Israel has conducted a genocide in Gaza and Indian PM would go and hug the President of Israel and call him his friend ?!! 📍This is not diplomacy !!! 📍What do you call ‘not condemning’ the attack of a school in Iran killing 167 young children ??!!! Diplomacy ??!!!! 📍India doesn’t have anything at stake but Modi & Adani sure have !!! 📍If you choose not to see the obvious, then none can make you see !!

@ShashiTharoor @IndianExpress Many thought your command in English made you a diplomatic expert. You are proving to be unworthy of being involved in diplomacy. Silence because one is compromised is not acceptable.

@narendramodi, our spineless leader, has encouraged toady academics, professionals and journalists to take a flattering view of his diabolical foreign policy; many self-seeking characters have fallen for it. I had not expected someone of the stature of @ShashiTharoor to break bread with them for a few bones from the Modi Establishment!

@ShashiTharoor @IndianExpress 📍When a country's own Citizens and Economic Interests are directly threatened, a nation must exercise Diplomatic Restraint, not merely indulge in Political and Sycophantic Rhetoric or appear to be on the side of a International #GolbalLiar and a #GlobalJoker..😷🍁

Well said. When the gulf states who are under attack from Iran are not condemning US, instead they are all out condemning Iran for its act against the gulf states , then why should India stick its neck out in a conflict/war which is not India’s. Anybody putting the moral argument in geopolitics is naive, or has an agenda against Indian interests and nation. Specially your own party @INCIndia

@ShashiTharoor @IndianExpress We were reluctant to condemn the soviet union's flagrant violation of international law in hungry, but now stand with israel firmly ??? Is this balancing principle with fragmatism ?

“never hit a man on the head when you have your fingers between his teeth!" Kofi Anan was well respected, a champion of international law and his Nobel Peace Prize win was a result of his efforts towards a more peaceful world. In today’s day and age, he would have probably added to that piece of advice @ShashiTharoor ji , saying that it would however be more prudent to never be in a position where you have your fingers between someone’s teeth. That restraint you speak of, the silence, the regard, the statesmanlike response, we never get a glimpse of it in our national framework by the same powers that be, of whom you speak. Nor do they exhibit timely global or national level etiquette in condoling, acknowledging or reaching out. Subjugation of the nations interests by being dictated as to what and from whom we can make purchases is not looking out for the nations interests, rather looking out for one’s own and also giving in to intimidation. One doesn’t have to be one amongst the sheep 🐑 and follow the herd each time but that doesn’t mean their path is wrong, nor does it mean that a shearing will be avoided, given that the nation is readily put forth to be fleeced, intimidated and confused of late.

@ShashiTharoor @IndianExpress Sir FYI if Government wants to be silent then why they condemn Iran for UAE attack. You can call GCC and speak in favour likewise can't you talk to Iran counterpart too? It's Iran who helped us always not GCC.

@ShashiTharoor @IndianExpress Maybe you missed this.. Age is catching up or saffron is your new fav colour.

@ShashiTharoor @IndianExpress Russia, that stood as our close friend for years, is giving discounted oil to Pakistan but not to us. This is what you call 'excellent harassment diplomacy' and a 'Khi-Khi-Khu-Khu' foreign policy.

@ShashiTharoor @IndianExpress Dr. Tharoor, you're nationalistic already and you're able to see what the liberals cannot. You also have the magnanimity to applaud something even when it's the opposing party. Please come over to the other side of the aisle and join the ruling party. We need people like you!

@ShashiTharoor @IndianExpress Brilliant article .question is can we confront and withstand with implications causing a serious economic impact on population? If the answer is no, we should not, avoiding it would be in the best interest of the people and the country.

@ShashiTharoor @IndianExpress Sir, You stand out for your unbiased and fair views on the matters of national importance despite not belonging to the ruling dispensation.

@ShashiTharoor @IndianExpress Nobody is saying Govt should aggressively oppose Trump. But it can voice its concerns on its own economy. None is happening. Govt is in a policy paralysis mode. I understand situation with USA but with Israel... 70k killed. PM went and received award from them...

@ShashiTharoor @IndianExpress Tl; dr "the prime minister is compromised and so am I"

@ShashiTharoor @IndianExpress Most wonderful You are fit to be Modi's FM Please do not warm the benches of Congress, pls do leave sir 🙏

@ShashiTharoor @IndianExpress Your colleague in Congress not going to like this.

@ShashiTharoor @IndianExpress Perfectly agree. Don’t need to weigh in here, instead keep the quiet and observe. This war is neither our making nor stopping. When the rebuild starts after all the devastation we will have opportunity to show care and concern. For now - fingers on the lips.

@ShashiTharoor @IndianExpress 💐 India is indeed doing responsible statecraft @INCIndia @arivalayam @BJP4India @the_hindu This is fact. We are doing our best in this situation #RahulGandhi cannot even grasp this. बाल बुद्धि।

@ShashiTharoor @IndianExpress Shashi's principles have seemingly capitulated. He’s not the same as before—independent, free, speaking truth to power, letting the chips fall where they may. He’s consistently taking stances that differ from his original ones. My opinion.

@ShashiTharoor @IndianExpress The silence is not about morality anymore. That time has gone. It would be better to look at where all this is going. You could remain silent when something doesn’t affect you,but when it hurts you, you need to speak up.This is only gonna get worse.Even silence has consequences.

There is a distinction between moral clarity and moral performance. You can hold a clear ethical position without broadcasting it into a diplomatic context where every statement carries real strategic weight. India's choice of silence here isn't weakness – it's the smarter play. Silence, in this case, is both strategy and safeguard. With dependencies spanning energy, diaspora, and defence supply chains, India sits at a genuine crossroads of competing pressures. A strongly worded condemnation might feel satisfying for a news cycle, but it trades long-term leverage for short-term applause. The government is right to protect that leverage. When your fingers are between someone's teeth, you don't lead with your fist. India has too many vital relationships at stake to let moral grandstanding set the terms of its foreign policy.

@ShashiTharoor @IndianExpress Is this taking sides or what? Vishwagas had personally gone and announced that the motherland stands with the fatherland.

@ShashiTharoor @IndianExpress Sir, you mention just 2 ‘stakes’: 1. We should appease US 2. Business with gulf countries. On the 2nd point: Dsnt India has equally good relation and business with Iran. This is not sufficient to give up the moral high ground. And you fail to consider what we lose being quite.