Shashi Tharoor shares 4 reasons why Trump’s ceasefire post on India & Pak was ‘disappointing’
U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent tweet calling for a ceasefire between India and Pakistan has sparked a heated debate, with many experts and politicians expressing their disappointment and concern over the implications of the statement. Among those who have spoken out against Trump’s tweet is Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, who has listed four reasons why he finds the post “disappointing”.
In his tweet, Tharoor pointed out that Trump’s ceasefire call implies a “false equivalence” between India and Pakistan, which he believes is unacceptable. According to Tharoor, Pakistan has been perpetrating terrorism and violence against India for decades, and therefore, it is unfair to equate the two countries as if they were equal parties in a conflict.
Tharoor also believes that Trump’s tweet offers Pakistan a negotiating framework that it hasn’t earned. “Pakistan has not shown itself to be a responsible enough actor to be entrusted with the responsibility of negotiating with India, especially on issues like Kashmir,” he said. By calling for a ceasefire, Trump is essentially giving Pakistan a platform to negotiate with India without having to make any concessions, Tharoor argued.
Furthermore, Tharoor claimed that Trump’s tweet “internationalises” the Kashmir dispute, which is a matter that is solely between India and Pakistan. While the international community has expressed concerns over the situation in Kashmir, Tharoor believes that it is not for foreign powers to intervene and dictate a solution to the conflict.
Lastly, Tharoor argued that Trump’s tweet “re-hyphenates” India and Pakistan, which is a reference to the fact that the two countries have been moving towards a more independent foreign policy in recent years. India has been growing closer to the United States and other Western countries, while Pakistan has been trying to maintain its traditional alliance with China. By calling for a ceasefire, Trump is essentially trying to bring India and Pakistan back into a bilateral framework that they have been trying to move away from, Tharoor claimed.
Tharoor’s criticism of Trump’s tweet is not without merit. Many experts have pointed out that Pakistan’s record on terrorism and human rights is far from exemplary, and that the country has not shown any willingness to take concrete steps to combat terrorism. Furthermore, the Kashmir dispute is a matter that is solely between India and Pakistan, and it is not for foreign powers to intervene and dictate a solution.
It is also worth noting that Trump’s tweet has been seen as a bid to curry favor with Pakistan, which has been a key ally of the United States in the region. By calling for a ceasefire, Trump is essentially trying to appease Pakistan and bring it back into the fold of Western countries. However, this approach is likely to backfire, as Pakistan has shown no willingness to compromise on its stance on terrorism and human rights.
In conclusion, Shashi Tharoor’s criticism of Trump’s ceasefire post is a timely reminder of the importance of nuance and context in international diplomacy. By implying a false equivalence between India and Pakistan, offering Pakistan a negotiating framework that it hasn’t earned, internationalising the Kashmir dispute, and re-hyphenating India and Pakistan, Trump’s tweet is likely to have unintended consequences that could undermine regional stability.
Source: https://x.com/shashitharoor/status/1921962732972302677
