Mar 12, 2026 11:59 am IST

On Disagreement, Democracy: An Open Letter To Mani Shankar Aiyar - By Shashi Tharoor

Congress's Lok Sabha MP Shashi Tharoor responds to a recent "assessment" by Mani Shankar Aiyar of his positions - and 'character'.

Shashi Tharoor Shashi Tharoor Dr Shashi Tharoor is a two-time MP from Thiruvananthapuram, the Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs, the former Union Minister of State for External Affairs and Human Resource Development and the former UN Under-Secretary-General. He has written 15 books, including, most recently, India Shastra: Reflections On the Nation in Our Time

Shashi Tharoor Dr Shashi Tharoor is a two-time MP from Thiruvananthapuram, the Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs, the former Union Minister of State for External Affairs and Human Resource Development and the former UN Under-Secretary-General. He has written 15 books, including, most recently, India Shastra: Reflections On the Nation in Our Time

Disagreement is a hallmark of a thriving democracy, but questioning a colleague's motives or patriotism simply because they adopt a different approach to foreign policy does little to strengthen public debate. While you are entitled to your views, your recent public "assessment" of my positions (and my character) demands an unambiguous response.

I have always approached international affairs from a clear nationalist perspective, placing India's interests, security, and global standing at the heart of every discussion. Recognising geopolitical realities and weighing consequences for India's economy and strategic position is not "moral surrender"; it is responsible........

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