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.

NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore returned to Earth on Wednesday at 3:27 am (IST) after spending over nine months aboard the International Space Station (ISS). The Crew-9 astronauts, initially set for an eight-day mission, had their stay extended due to technical issues with the Starliner spacecraft.

PM Modi hails astronauts’ resilience

Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended a warm welcome to Sunita Williams and her crew upon their safe return. “Welcome back, #Crew9! The Earth missed you,” PM Modi wrote on X, sharing a picture with Williams. He praised the astronauts’ resilience, calling their journey a “test of grit, courage, and the boundless human spirit.”

“Sunita Williams and the #Crew9 astronauts have once again shown us what perseverance truly means. Their unwavering determination in the face of the vast unknown will forever inspire millions,” he added.

The prime minister also acknowledged the relentless efforts of the teams ensuring a safe return. “We are incredibly proud… They have demonstrated what happens when precision meets passion and technology meets tenacity.”

Sunita Williams’ journey from Earth to space and back

Williams and Wilmore originally launched aboard NASA’s Boeing Crew Flight Test on June 5, 2023, for what was supposed to be an eight-day mission. However, as their Starliner spacecraft approached the ISS, NASA and Boeing identified helium leaks and issues with the reaction control thrusters. Due to these concerns, the Starliner was returned to Earth without the crew.

In August, NASA reassigned the two astronauts to SpaceX’s Crew-9 mission. The original Crew-9 team, which included NASA astronauts Zena Cardman and Stephanie Wilson, was downsized to accommodate Williams and Wilmore.

NASA astronaut Nick Hague and Roscosmos cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov later joined the mission, flying aboard a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft.

After spending 286 days in space, Crew-9 finally returned to Earth. Their spacecraft completed a 17-hour journey before deploying parachutes and making a safe splashdown in the ocean off the coast of Florida.

In a high-level meeting, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and senior party leader Rahul Gandhi engaged with the party’s general secretaries and state leadership on Tuesday to explore measures for strengthening the District Congress Committees (DCCs).

According to sources, the discussions revolved around a report prepared by senior leader Mukul Wasnik, which outlined strategies for empowering DCCs and improving their role in the party’s organizational framework.

Proposed measures to strengthen DCCs

The report suggested several structural reforms, including:

Consultation on key issues: Involving DCCs in significant political decisions to enhance their influence.

Fixed tenure for leadership: Granting DCC presidents a five-year term for stability and continuity.

Election restrictions: Prohibiting DCC chiefs from contesting elections for at least three years after assuming the role.

These recommendations aim to reinforce grassroots leadership and ensure the committees play a more decisive role in shaping party strategies.

Key attendees at the meeting

Along with Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi, several senior Congress leaders participated in the discussion. The meeting saw the presence of general secretary (organisation) K.C. Venugopal, party treasurer Ajay Maken, and general secretaries including Bhupesh Baghel, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Jairam Ramesh, Randeep Surjewala, and Sachin Pilot, among others.

This initiative comes as part of Congress’ broader efforts to rejuvenate its organizational structure ahead of upcoming political challenges. Strengthening district-level leadership is expected to play a crucial role in the party’s revival and electoral strategy.