Shashi Tharoor Criticizes Jaishankar Over Parliament Statement on West Asia Conflict
Congress MP Shashi Tharoor on Monday strongly criticized External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar for his parliamentary statement regarding the ongoing conflict in West Asia. Tharoor argued that merely reading a statement without permitting any discussion was fundamentally unfair to the Members of Parliament, who deserve a platform to voice concerns and ask questions.
Tharoor Demands Parliamentary Debate on Serious Issues
Speaking to reporters outside Parliament, Tharoor emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating that the issue should be thoroughly debated in the House. He highlighted that the primary purpose of Parliament is to address matters of national importance through serious and open discussions. "Just reading a statement, without any questions, our point of view is not fair to the members of the House," Tharoor said, as quoted by ANI.
He further explained that the Congress party was pushing for a discussion to raise critical questions about energy security, noting that oil prices have surged and LPG prices were recently increased by the government. Tharoor stressed that Parliament should serve as the appropriate forum to address broader concerns related to international law and India's strategic interests.
Support from Other Congress Leaders
Congress MP K. C. Venugopal also backed the demand for a parliamentary discussion, asserting that the situation in West Asia transcends partisan politics. He urged the government to take the Opposition into confidence and foster a collaborative approach to handling the crisis.
Jaishankar's Statement and Government's Stance
The remarks from Tharoor and Venugopal followed Jaishankar's address to both Houses of Parliament, where he outlined the government's response to the evolving conflict. Jaishankar stated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is closely monitoring developments, with relevant ministries coordinating to ensure effective responses.
He underscored India's significant stakes in the region, citing the presence of approximately one crore Indians living and working in Gulf nations, including a few thousand in Iran for study or employment. "The region is key to our energy security and includes many important suppliers of oil and gas. Serious supply chain disruptions and a climate of instability are serious issues," Jaishankar added.
Government Actions and Energy Security Concerns
Jaishankar detailed that the government has issued formal advisories to Indian nationals in Iran and is maintaining continuous communication with Indians across the Gulf. Addressing concerns over energy security amid potential disruptions to trade routes through the Strait of Hormuz, he assured that the government is vigilantly monitoring energy markets while prioritizing the interests of Indian consumers.
"In view of the implications of this conflict for our energy security, the government remains committed to ensuring that it takes into account the availability, cost and risks of the energy markets. For us, the interest of the Indian consumer is and will always be the overriding priority," Jaishankar concluded.
