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 sparked controversy, with many experts and analysts weighing in on the implications of his statement. Among those who have expressed disappointment with Trump’s post is Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, who has shared four key reasons why he believes the US President’s message was “disappointing”.
Tharoor, a seasoned diplomat and politician, took to social media to express his concerns, stating that Trump’s post “disappoints” him on multiple counts. In a series of tweets, he outlined the reasons why he believes Trump’s ceasefire call was misguided.
The first reason Tharoor cited was the “false equivalence” between India and Pakistan. According to Tharoor, Trump’s tweet seemed to equate the actions of both countries, implying that India and Pakistan are equally guilty of violence and aggression. This, Tharoor argues, is a gross misreading of the situation.
“Pakistan has been waging a war against India through terrorism, cross-border infiltration, and proxy war,” Tharoor wrote. “India, on the other hand, has responded to these provocations with measured force, targeted at terrorist camps and infrastructure. To suggest that both sides are equally responsible for the violence is a gross distortion of reality.”
Tharoor’s second criticism was that Trump’s post offered Pakistan a negotiating framework that it hasn’t earned. According to the Congress MP, Pakistan has consistently refused to take concrete action against terrorist groups operating from its soil, and has instead continued to provide them with safe haven and support.
“Before calling for a ceasefire, Pakistan needs to demonstrate its willingness to take concrete action against terrorism,” Tharoor argued. “It needs to dismantle terrorist infrastructure, arrest and prosecute terrorists, and prevent cross-border infiltration. Until that happens, any ceasefire is just a recipe for further violence and instability.”
Tharoor’s third reason for his disappointment was that Trump’s tweet “internationalises” the Kashmir dispute. According to the Congress MP, Kashmir is a bilateral issue between India and Pakistan, and any third-party intervention is likely to complicate the situation further.
“Kashmir is an integral part of India, and any attempts to internationalise the issue are likely to create more problems than they solve,” Tharoor wrote. “India has consistently maintained that Kashmir is a bilateral issue, and any attempts to involve third parties will only serve to further complicate the situation.”
Tharoor’s final reason for his disappointment was that Trump’s tweet “re-hyphenates” India and Pakistan. According to the Congress MP, India and Pakistan have distinct and separate identities, and any attempt to conflate them is a disservice to both nations.
“India and Pakistan have distinct identities, histories, and cultures,” Tharoor argued. “Any attempt to equate them or treat them as interchangeable is a disservice to both nations. India is a thriving democracy, a major player on the global stage, and a beacon of hope for millions of people around the world. Pakistan, on the other hand, is a country with a troubled history, plagued by terrorism, extremism, and authoritarianism. To lump them together is to do a disservice to both nations.”
In conclusion, Tharoor’s tweets highlight the potential drawbacks of Trump’s ceasefire call, and the need for a more nuanced and informed approach to resolving the conflict between India and Pakistan. While a ceasefire may seem like a simple solution, it is essential to consider the complex history and dynamics of the region, and to ensure that any solution is fair, just, and equitable for all parties involved.
News Source:
https://x.com/shashitharoor/status/1921962732972302677
