Indian politician and Member of Parliament Shashi Tharoor has questioned India’s long-standing policy of treating Pakistan as a permanent enemy, describing it as a failed strategy that has weakened prospects for peace in the region.
In a column published in Indian media, Tharoor argued that the approach of maintaining Pakistan as an adversary was often exploited for domestic political gains but has yielded no tangible benefits. He emphasized that treating dialogue with Pakistan as a sign of weakness is a flawed mindset and that sustainable peace in South Asia is impossible without negotiations.
Tharoor also criticized the Bharatiya Janata Party’s rigid and confrontational policies, stating that such an approach has not only made the region insecure but also harmed India’s diplomatic interests. He pointed out that efforts to isolate Pakistan internationally have largely failed and called the policy “self-deceptive.”
Political analysts say Tharoor’s stance reflects a growing section within India that favors dialogue and engagement with Pakistan. Observers note that questions are increasingly being raised within Indian politics about the efficacy of the anti-Pakistan narrative.
