A sharp public disagreement has erupted within the opposition Indian National Congress after two of its senior leaders exchanged strongly worded open letters over the ongoing U.S.–Iran conflict. The dispute began after remarks by Shashi Tharoor on the war drew criticism from veteran Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar, highlighting a broader ideological divide within the party on foreign policy and global conflicts.
Aiyar Criticises Tharoor’s ‘Pragmatic’ Approach
In an open letter published in Frontline, Aiyar said he was “shocked to the core” by Tharoor’s comments during a television interview on March 6, where the Thiruvananthapuram MP urged diplomacy and negotiations to end the war. Aiyar described the conflict as an “illegal and sinful war on Iran by Israel in cahoots with the US and the West in general,” and accused Tharoor of reflecting an “unprincipled, amoral, and transactional approach to public policy.”
The veteran leader argued that Tharoor’s stance appeared to justify a global order based on power politics, which he criticised as endorsing the notion that “might is right.”
Reference To Oxford Speech & U.S. Influence
Aiyar’s criticism extended to Tharoor’s broader political positioning. While praising Tharoor’s well-known speech at the Oxford Union condemning colonialism, Aiyar suggested his current position showed deference to U.S. influence.
He also compared Tharoor’s approach to the “pragmatism of Jaishankar,” referring to India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar. Aiyar further speculated that Tharoor might be seeking political favor with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, pointing to his role as chairman of a parliamentary standing committee and his international engagements.
Tharoor Defends ‘Nationalist Perspective’
Tharoor responded with his own open letter published by NDTV, firmly defending his remarks and rejecting the allegations. He wrote that his approach to international affairs was guided by a clear nationalist perspective, with India’s interests, security, and global standing placed at the center of every discussion.
Sharing the link on X, Tharoor said, “My response to Shri Mani Shankar Aiyar on his public criticism of me for “moral amnesia” — it is clear that others kinds of amnesia are also operating here! One “Open Letter” deserves another, so here is mine.”
My response to Shri Mani Shankar Aiyar on his public criticism of me for “moral amnesia” — it is clear that others kinds of amnesia are also operating here! One “Open Letter” deserves another, so here is mine:https://t.co/LBSwE5GlzU https://t.co/HUFOOS1a61
— Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) March 12, 2026
Tharoor also clarified that he had previously described the Iran war as “illegal” in one of his recent columns and reiterated his call for an immediate end to hostilities.
Debate Over India’s Foreign Policy Legacy
In his reply, Tharoor invoked the legacy of India’s first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, noting that while India’s diplomacy has evolved from non-alignment to a more flexible multi-alignment strategy in a multipolar world, its central aim remains protecting national sovereignty while advocating global justice.
He argued that his emphasis on diplomacy was also driven by practical considerations, including India’s economic interests and the need to maintain stability in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical shipping route for global oil supplies.
