The prominent Indian politician Shashi Tharor has publicly questioned India’s long-standing policy of treating Pakistan as a permanent adversary, triggering renewed discussion within political and diplomatic circles in New Delhi.
In this sense, Shashi Tharoor, senior leader of the Indian National Congress and a sitting Member of Parliament, raised these concerns. Tharoor argued that India’s policy of sustained hostility toward Pakistan has failed to deliver tangible benefits.
He suggested, the strategy has weakened prospects for peace in South Asia while offering limited gains beyond short-term domestic political advantage. In this regard, portraying Pakistan as a constant enemy has often been used as a tool in internal politics.
However, he noted that this approach has neither improved regional security nor strengthened India’s long-term diplomatic position. He cautioned that equating dialogue with defeat indicates a flawed mindset that undermines the possibility of lasting stability in the region.
Tharoor pointed to the broader consequences of confrontational policies, stating that rigid postures have contributed to increased regional insecurity. He also criticized hardline approaches associated with the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), suggesting that aggressive rhetoric and policies have, at times, harmed India’s international standing.
The senior parliamentarian further observed that attempts to diplomatically isolate Pakistan at the global level have not achieved their intended outcomes.
He described such efforts as unrealistic and warned that self-deception could replace strategic clarity if policies are not reassessed.
