Shashi Tharoor Shares 4 Reasons Why Trump’s Ceasefire Post on India & Pak was ‘Disappointing’
US President Donald Trump’s recent tweet calling for a ceasefire between India and Pakistan has been met with a mix of reactions from the international community. While some have hailed it as a positive step towards reducing tensions, others have been more critical of the move. Congress MP and former Minister of State for External Affairs, Shashi Tharoor, is one such voice. In a series of tweets, Tharoor shared four reasons why Trump’s ceasefire post was “disappointing”, sparking a heated debate on social media.
Tharoor’s first reason for disappointment was that Trump’s tweet implies a “false equivalence” between the victim and the perpetrator. According to Tharoor, this is a flawed approach as it treats Pakistan and India as equals, overlooking the fact that Pakistan has been consistently supporting cross-border terrorism in India. By doing so, Trump’s tweet ignores the fact that India has been a victim of Pakistan’s aggression and instead focuses on the two countries’ bilateral issues.
Tharoor’s second reason for disappointment was that Trump’s tweet offers Pakistan a negotiating framework without it having earned the right to do so. Tharoor pointed out that Pakistan has consistently refused to take concrete steps to curb terrorism emanating from its soil, and instead, has continued to provide shelter to terrorist groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed. By offering Pakistan a negotiating framework, Trump’s tweet appears to reward Pakistan for its intransigence, Tharoor argued.
Tharoor’s third reason for disappointment was that Trump’s tweet “internationalises” the Kashmir dispute. According to Tharoor, this is a significant issue as it implies that the dispute is no longer a bilateral issue between India and Pakistan, but a global concern. Tharoor argued that this move undermines India’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and could potentially lead to external interference in the issue.
Tharoor’s final reason for disappointment was that Trump’s tweet “re-hyphenates” India and Pakistan. Tharoor explained that this means that Trump’s tweet treats India and Pakistan as two equal entities, rather than acknowledging the fact that India has been a victim of Pakistan’s aggression. By doing so, Trump’s tweet ignores the fact that India has been a responsible state that has taken concrete steps to address the issue of terrorism, while Pakistan has continued to support terrorism.
Tharoor’s tweets sparked a heated debate on social media, with many supporting his views and others disagreeing. While some argued that Trump’s tweet was a positive step towards reducing tensions, others pointed out that it ignored the fact that Pakistan has been a consistent supporter of terrorism. The debate highlighted the complexities of the India-Pakistan relationship and the need for a nuanced approach to address the issue of terrorism.
In conclusion, Tharoor’s four reasons for disappointment with Trump’s ceasefire post highlight the importance of a nuanced approach to addressing the issue of terrorism. By ignoring the fact that Pakistan has been a consistent supporter of terrorism and offering Pakistan a negotiating framework without it having earned the right to do so, Trump’s tweet undermines India’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Furthermore, by “internationalising” the Kashmir dispute and “re-hyphenating” India and Pakistan, Trump’s tweet ignores the fact that India has been a victim of Pakistan’s aggression and instead treats the two countries as equals.
As the world continues to grapple with the complexities of the India-Pakistan relationship, it is essential to take a nuanced approach that acknowledges the facts on the ground. By doing so, we can work towards a more peaceful and stable region, where terrorism is no longer a major concern.
News Source:
https://x.com/shashitharoor/status/1921962732972302677
