Shashi Tharoor shares 4 reasons why Trump’s ceasefire post on India & Pak was ‘disappointing’
In a tweet, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor expressed his disappointment over US President Donald Trump’s post on a ceasefire between India and Pakistan. Trump had tweeted, “I have been fully informed about the situation in Jammu and Kashmir. Let them know that if they want to start talking, I am willing. The United States has nothing to lose, and hopefully, we can get them to the table.” Tharoor, a seasoned politician and diplomat, shared four reasons why Trump’s post was “disappointing” and detrimental to the interests of India.
Reason 1: False Equivalence
The first reason Tharoor cited was the “false equivalence” between the victim and the perpetrator. India has been a victim of cross-border terrorism sponsored by Pakistan, with countless innocent lives lost, and yet, Trump’s tweet implies that both India and Pakistan are equally culpable. This equivalence is unjustified and ignores the stark reality of Pakistan’s role in perpetuating terrorism in India.
Tharoor argued that by implying a false equivalence, Trump’s tweet undermines India’s efforts to combat terrorism and provides a moral equivalence to the terrorist state of Pakistan. This approach is unfair and unjust, as it ignores the fact that Pakistan has been a haven for terrorist organizations, including Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed.
Reason 2: Pakistan’s Negotiating Framework
The second reason Tharoor mentioned was that Trump’s tweet offers Pakistan a negotiating framework which it hasn’t earned. Pakistan has consistently refused to take concrete steps to dismantle terrorist infrastructure, and its failure to do so has led to the current impasse.
By offering Pakistan a negotiating framework without any tangible actions, Trump’s tweet sends a message that Pakistan’s aggression and terrorism are acceptable, and that India should compromise its interests to achieve a ceasefire. Tharoor argued that this approach is flawed, as it rewards Pakistan’s intransigence and ignores India’s security concerns.
Reason 3: Internationalization of Kashmir Dispute
The third reason Tharoor cited was that Trump’s tweet “internationalizes” the Kashmir dispute. The Kashmir issue is a bilateral dispute between India and Pakistan, and it is not a matter that can be resolved through international mediation or arbitration.
Trump’s tweet, in essence, creates a false narrative that the Kashmir dispute is an international issue, which is not the case. This could lead to international pressure on India to compromise its interests, which would be detrimental to the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Reason 4: Re-Hyphenation of India and Pakistan
The final reason Tharoor mentioned was that Trump’s tweet “re-hyphenates” India and Pakistan. India has long sought to separate its relations with Pakistan from its relations with the United States. Trump’s tweet, however, implies that India and Pakistan are still linked, and that any progress between the two countries is conditional on India’s willingness to engage with Pakistan.
Tharoor argued that this approach is flawed, as it ignores the fact that India and Pakistan have separate and distinct relationships with the United States. By re-hyphenating India and Pakistan, Trump’s tweet perpetuates a false narrative that the two countries are still connected, which is not the case.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Shashi Tharoor’s tweet highlights four reasons why Trump’s ceasefire post on India and Pakistan was “disappointing”. The tweet implies a false equivalence between the victim and the perpetrator, offers Pakistan a negotiating framework which it hasn’t earned, internationalizes the Kashmir dispute, and re-hyphenates India and Pakistan.
Tharoor’s comments reflect the concerns of many Indians who believe that Trump’s tweet undermines India’s interests and security concerns. As a seasoned politician and diplomat, Tharoor understands the complexity of the India-Pakistan relationship and the need for a nuanced approach to resolving the Kashmir dispute.
As the situation in Jammu and Kashmir continues to unfold, it is essential that the international community recognizes India’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and that any attempts at mediation or arbitration are based on a clear understanding of the facts on the ground.
Source:
https://x.com/shashitharoor/status/1921962732972302677
