Congress leader Shashi Tharoor has acknowledged that he was mistaken in opposing India’s neutral stance at the onset of the Russia-Ukraine war. Speaking at the Raisina Dialogue, Tharoor admitted he was left with “egg on his face” after realizing that India’s approach has positioned it as a key player in potential peace negotiations.

Tharoor, who had initially criticized India’s position during the February 2022 parliamentary debate, argued at the time that Russia had violated the UN Charter and Ukraine’s sovereignty. However, he now concedes that India’s diplomatic strategy has enhanced its global standing.

India’s Diplomatic Leverage

“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 stated during the session titled ‘Waging Peace: Looking Back to Look Ahead’.

He highlighted that India’s geographical distance from Europe and its independent foreign policy have enabled it to be a potential mediator for lasting peace.

India’s Peacekeeping Role?

Although Tharoor emphasized that he cannot speak for the government, he suggested that if an agreed peace between Russia and Ukraine is reached, there might be willingness from India to consider sending peacekeepers.

“Russians have made it explicit that they will not accept European peacekeepers who belong to NATO countries. One would have to look beyond Europe for peacekeepers,” he noted.

Citing India’s history of over 49 peacekeeping missions, Tharoor stated that Indian peacekeepers could play a role if needed. He also recalled India’s strong opposition in 2003 when Parliament unanimously refused to send troops to Iraq after the US-led invasion.

However, he clarified that such resistance may not exist for Ukraine if an official peace agreement emerges.

India’s Global Standing in Conflict Mediation

Tharoor’s remarks reflect a broader acknowledgment of India’s diplomatic positioning, which has allowed the country to maintain strong bilateral relations with both Russia and Ukraine. With ongoing geopolitical tensions, India’s neutral approach continues to gain global recognition as a balancing force in international politics.

Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday said the Congress supports Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s remarks on India’s cultural heritage, adding that, but PM failed to pay tribute to those who lost their lives during the Maha Kumbh event.

Speaking to reporters in the Parliament complex, Gandhi also seized the opportunity to highlight the pressing issue of unemployment, hours after PM Modi addressed the Lok Sabha on the cultural significance of the Maha Kumbh. “The youth who attended the Maha Kumbh expect more than just praise—they need jobs. Employment is what they truly seek from the PM,” he stated.

Gandhi also criticised the government for stifling the Opposition’s voice in Parliament. “In a democratic setup, the Leader of Opposition should have the opportunity to speak, but they won’t allow us. This is the new India they are building,” he remarked.

Commenting on PM Modi’s assertion that the Maha Kumbh reflects India’s unity and strength, Gandhi said, “We support what the PM said. The Kumbh is an integral part of our history and culture. Our only grievance is that the PM did not pay homage to those who lost their lives during the event.”

Echoing similar sentiments, Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra expressed disappointment over the lack of opportunity for the Opposition to speak on the matter. “The PM spoke optimistically about the Maha Kumbh, but the Opposition should have also been given a chance to present its views. We, too, have deep sentiments towards the Maha Kumbh, and there should be no issue if we express ourselves. The Opposition should have been allowed to speak for at least two minutes,” she told reporters.

Earlier in the day, PM Modi praised the successful organization of the Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj, crediting its success to the collective efforts of the public, administration, and devotees across the country.

“I am here to make a statement on the Maha Kumbh held in Prayagraj. I want to thank the public and the administration for its successful organization. The success of the Maha Kumbh is the result of the efforts of countless individuals. I extend my gratitude to the country’s devotees, the people of Uttar Pradesh, and especially the residents of Prayagraj. Just as immense efforts were made to bring the Ganga to earth, similar dedication was shown in organizing this grand Maha Kumbh,” said PM Modi.

Congress leader Sonia Gandhi on Tuesday accused the BJP-led central government of systematically weakening the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), a flagship rural employment scheme. Speaking during the Zero Hour in the Rajya Sabha, she demanded an increase in the minimum wage under the scheme to ₹400 per day and an extension of guaranteed workdays from 100 to 150 per year.

Sonia Gandhi highlighted that the MGNREGA, enacted in 2005 during the UPA government under former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, has been a vital safety net for millions of rural poor. However, she expressed deep concern over its alleged deterioration under the current administration.

“The budget allocation for MGNREGA remains stagnant at ₹86,000 crore, which is a 10-year low as a percentage of GDP. When adjusted for inflation, the effective budget has declined by ₹4,000 crore. Estimates suggest that nearly 20% of the allocated funds will be used to clear pending dues from previous years,” she stated.

She also pointed out several challenges plaguing the scheme, including the exclusionary Aadhaar-based payment system, the National Mobile Monitoring System (NMMS), persistent delays in wage payments, and wage rates that fail to keep pace with inflation. The NMMS app, which requires real-time attendance and geotagged photographs of workers, has been criticized for adding unnecessary complexity.

Sonia Gandhi called for adequate financial provisions to sustain and expand MGNREGA. She urged the government to increase the minimum wage to ₹400 per day, ensure timely disbursement of wages, and raise the number of guaranteed workdays from 100 to 150 annually.

The central government had previously increased MGNREGA wages by 3-10% in nominal terms for the financial year 2024-25, just before the general elections were announced last year. However, wages vary significantly across states, ranging from ₹237 per day in Uttarakhand to ₹300 in Andhra Pradesh.

Demanding the removal of the Aadhaar Payments Bridge System (APBS) and NMMS, Sonia Gandhi emphasized, “These measures are essential to ensure that MGNREGA provides dignified employment and financial security to rural workers.”