“I’m Left with Egg on My Face”: Tharoor Admits Error on India’s Russia-Ukraine Stance

New Delhi- Congress leader Shashi Tharoor on Tuesday admitted he was “left with egg on his face” for opposing India’s stance at the onset of the Russia-Ukraine war, acknowledging that the policy has positioned India to play a unique role in global peace efforts.

Speaking at the Raisina Dialogue during a session titled “Waging Peace: Looking Back to Look Ahead,” Tharoor reflected on his 2022 criticism of India’s neutral position, which refrained from condemning Russia’s actions. He had argued then that Moscow’s invasion violated the UN Charter and the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity.

“Three years later, it does look like I am the one with egg on my face because clearly the policy has meant that India actually has a Prime Minister who can hug both the President of Ukraine and the President in Moscow two weeks apart and be accepted in both places,” Tharoor remarked, acknowledging India’s strengthened diplomatic standing.

He highlighted India’s unique position, distant from Europe and unaligned with NATO, as an advantage in facilitating peace talks. Tharoor also suggested that India could potentially send peacekeepers if a Russia-Ukraine peace agreement emerged, given the country’s long-standing record in over 49 UN peacekeeping missions.

“If necessary, and if there was an agreed peace, I think there would be some willingness to consider sending peacekeepers. But I can’t speak for the government — I’m in the opposition,” Tharoor added.

India’s neutrality, once questioned, now appears to have granted it diplomatic leverage, offering a bridge between conflicting sides and enhancing its role in global peace-building efforts.