Congress leader Shashi Tharoor on Sunday expressed his support for the central government’s decision to allocate the largest share of the union budget to defence. Speaking at the Jaipur Literature Festival (JLF), Tharoor emphasized that investing in defence sends a strong message that India is not a weak nation and cannot be underestimated.
Addressing the media, the Thiruvananthapuram MP underscored the importance of preventing incidents like the recent India-China border conflict. “It is essential to spend on India’s defences. We do not increase our defence budget to wage war but to deter others from viewing us as vulnerable or considering misadventures against us,” he explained.
Tharoor stressed that strengthening India’s military is critical, particularly in light of the challenges posed at the borders. “What happened on the Chinese border should never happen again. It is vital for India to demonstrate its strength and make it clear to others that we are not to be trifled with,” he asserted.
He also highlighted the strategic importance of bolstering India’s naval capabilities due to its extensive coastline. “I have been advocating for an increase in the defence budget for some time now, especially to build a stronger navy. Given our vast coastline, it is imperative to ensure that our maritime defences are robust,” Tharoor added.
Tharoor pointed out a critical issue within the armed forces—the shortage of officers. “From my understanding, there is a significant shortage of officers who lead from the front. This was evident during the Kargil War when we lost many officers due to this gap. Our Army cannot afford to experience such a shortage,” the 68-year-old leader said.
When questioned about the assembly elections in Delhi, where INDIA bloc allies Congress and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) have been at odds, Tharoor offered a pragmatic view of the alliance’s functionality.
He explained that the INDIA bloc was formed with an understanding that its effectiveness would vary across states. “In Tamil Nadu, we have the Congress, CPI, CPM, and DMK working together for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. However, in Kerala, I am contesting against the communists, who are also part of the INDIA alliance,” he said, adding that it was always clear the alliance would have limitations in certain states.
Referring to Delhi, Tharoor acknowledged that while the Congress and AAP managed to align during the Lok Sabha elections, contradictions have surfaced in the ongoing assembly polls. “Each state has its political dynamics, and the alliance will reflect that diversity. It’s hard to imagine the Left Front and Congress-led United Democratic Front joining forces in Kerala,” he said.
Tharoor suggested that while all parties can come together during elections and later go their separate ways, such shifts are part of the political landscape. “There’s no need to write an obituary for the alliance or celebrate its unity prematurely,” he remarked.
The Jaipur Literature Festival this year boasts an impressive lineup of over 300 prominent personalities, including Nobel laureates, Booker Prize winners, journalists, policymakers, and celebrated writers.
Notable participants include economist Abhijit Banerjee, Nobel laureate Esther Duflo, actors Amol Palekar and Rahul Bose, writers Ira Mukhoty and Geetanjali Shree, playwright David Hare, lyricist Javed Akhtar, and authors Yuvan Aves, Shahu Patole, and Kallol Bhattacharjee.
The festival remains a vibrant platform for discussions, intellectual exchanges, and cultural celebrations, attracting audiences from around the world.
