"We're not like the Americans" --- An interview with Shashi Tharoor

"We're not like the Americans" --- An interview with Shashi Tharoor 

HARD TALK: Shashi Tharoor wears many hats. This time he speaks about his new book, and more

A 29-year-long career in the United nations; a brief spell as minister of state for external affairs before quitting following a controversy; writer of a slew of award-winning books; Shashitharoor has seen a lot, including wars and peacemaking. following the launch of‘ pax indica’ in kolkata, Tharoor speaks to snigdhendu Bhattacharya about “delicate diplomatic dancing”.

SHUBHANKAR CHAKRABORTYDinesh Trivedi, Shashi Tharoor and governor MK Narayanan at the book launch.

You said that many in the Pakistan army are into business and India should introduce trade ties with them!

Trade helps people develop a stake. If Pakistan were trading with us, the people who were in the trade would ensure there are no incidents that can result in a fall in trade. It’s also a way to push peace.

In the context of India’s initiatives in establishing relations with the military junta government in Myanmar, after the discovery of natural gas resources there, you wrote “the price of pursuing a moral foreign policy was becoming too high.” But is there any room for morality in any foreign policy?

Well, it’s a very good point but we are not really like the Americans who overtly stake a claim on others’ foreign policies. We have been little more realistic. Having said that, some of the values of our civilisation are compromised in foreign dealings. Myanmar, for instance. Initially, our approach was entirely based on moral values and we supported the democratic struggle. It changed after we realised that others were gaining from their resources.

Internal needs of a country determine its foreign policy. From that perspective, how strongly would you oppose the view that our pro-US policy would make India bear all the brunt and bloodshed while the US implements its own policies in South Asia?

We are not seen by anyone, including the US, as some sort of a permanent ally. We are in a partnership with the US but we’ve historically been very independent. We have a good security relationship with Israel but we have been actually quite critical of them for occupying territories like Gaza. We are always seen as having an independent foreign policy. If asked whether you are with us or against us, our answer is: “both”. We are with you when we agree, we are not when we disagree.

Is it not America’s internal crisis that is pulling them towards the Indian market?

No. Americans have a number of motives for looking to India. Market is just one. The second is some people in Washington want to see India as an answer to Chinese hegemony. The third is the increasing importance of American citizens with Indian backgrounds, who have become disproportionately influential in fundraising and political affairs. The American political class is becoming more and more sensitive to Indian issues because of the Indian voters there.

How would India tackle with China with regard to Tibet?

It needs some delicate diplomatic dancing! There is no dispute over China’s sovereignty over Tibet and India agrees to it. Nonetheless, we have given asylum to Tibetans, including the Dalai Lama. We need to ensure we are aware of our values and principles in preserving the rights of the Tibetan refugees in our country. At the same time, we need to make sure that we don’t unnecessarily antagonise the Chinese by showing sympathy towards anti-China movements. We need to strike this balance very, very carefully.

You have seen the problem of displacement very closely while working with the UN. Now there is a fresh spectre of displacement of tribals in India, essentially due to development projects. There has also been bloodshed. What’s your take on this?

Bloodshed, obviously, has to be tackled through effective law and order measures. Our problem is that we have to accommodate a very diverse group of people and at the same time we need development. Our traditional way of life is being affected by these development projects. We have to ensure that these people have jobs, education, healthcare and opportunities for the future. Without development, there can’t be any real solution. But as long as there is violence, investors won’t come.

You said you almost had to work under threat from your wife, Sunanda Pushkar, for finishing Pax Indica?

Oh yes! She said she wanted the book done by her birthday! So I had to rush. I would start at night and write till 3 in the morning and sometimes wake up early in the morning to write again. That drive and discipline were necessary to finish such a book.