NEW DELHI: A public spat erupted between Mani Shankar Aiyar and Shashi Tharoor on Thursday, with both exchanging sharply-worded open letters over foreign policy, ideology and personal remarks.The confrontation began when Aiyar wrote an open letter to Tharoor, published in Frontline magazine, criticising his comments during a television discussion on the ongoing conflict involving Iran, Israel, and the United States.In the letter, Aiyar said he was “shocked to the core” by Tharoor’s remarks and claimed the issue had disturbed him so deeply that he woke up in the early hours to write the message.Recalling the Congress presidential election, Aiyar said he had supported Tharoor’s candidature even though he knew he would lose to Mallikarjun Kharge. Israel Iran WarUS-Israel-Iran War News Live Updates: Saudi intercepts drone headed to Shaybah oil field; Israeli strikes 10 Hezbollah targets in Beirut’Legitimate targets’: Iran issues warning to US tech firms including Google, Amazon, Microsoft, NvidiaSafe Passage For Indian Vessels: Iran clears Indian-flagged ships in Hormuz; US, Europe, Israel face curbsAiyar also said he publicly argued that Kharge should grant Tharoor an honourable place in the party hierarchy despite his defeat.However, Aiyar said he now regretted that support, accusing Tharoor of endorsing a “might is right” approach in international affairs and of being overly cautious about criticising the United States due to possible economic consequences for India.Aiyar also questioned Tharoor’s position as chairman of Parliament’s Standing Committee on External Affairs, arguing that deferring foreign policy decisions to the government undermined the purpose of the role.The veteran Congress leader further criticised Tharoor’s past stance on the Sabarimala Temple entry issue, saying his position on the temple’s restrictions on menstruating women had earlier raised doubts about his ideological alignment with the party.Concluding his letter, Aiyar declared that their differences had reached a breaking point, saying it marked a “parting of ways”.Tharoor responded with an open letter of his own on Thursday, published by NDTV, rejecting Aiyar’s accusations and defending his views.He said disagreement was natural in a healthy democracy but criticised Aiyar for questioning his motives and character.Tharoor said his views on international affairs stem from a “clear nationalist perspective”, adding that weighing geopolitical realities and economic consequences for India should not be viewed as a moral compromise but as responsible policymaking.”No generation holds a monopoly over patriotism, nor over the interpretation of Gandhi or Nehru. The true tribute to their legacy lies in applying their values wisely to the realities of our time,” he wrote.He also rejected Aiyar’s remarks regarding his foreign travel, calling them baseless. Tharoor said his trips abroad, except for participation in an all-party delegation linked to Operation Sindoor, were undertaken in a personal capacity and were not arranged or funded by the government.Responding to criticism over the Sabarimala issue, Tharoor said he had supported the Congress party’s official stand and had previously explained his position in detail.While acknowledging Aiyar’s support during the Congress presidential election, Tharoor said he too had defended Aiyar in the past, including when the veteran leader faced disciplinary action within the party.”I, too, supported you very strongly with the “high command” of the party, especially when you were suspended from its membership. I have no regrets that that injustice has been reversed,” Tharoor wrote.The Thiruvananthpuram MP said Aiyar’s claim of a “parting of ways” was disingenuous, arguing that the break had already become evident through repeated personal remarks directed at him in recent months.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosRahul Gandhi Warns Of Fuel Crisis Amid Middle East Conflict BJP MP Dubey Hits Back With Soros JibeAmid US-Iran War, First Crude Tanker Shenlong Safely Reaches Mumbai Port Through Strait Of HormuzIndian Ship Safety To Energy Crisis: MEA Reveals Details On Talks Between Jaishankar And Iran FM’Farooq’s Killing Intention Of Govt?’: Kharge Asks In Parl; Nadda Hits Back, Slams ‘Politics’Mahakumbh Girl Monalisa Marries Farman Khan In Kerala, Rejects Love Jihad Charges Amid Family RowIran Breaks Silence After Reports Claim Tehran Allowed Indian Oil Tanker Through Strait Of Hormuz’I Have Always Tried To…’: LS Speaker Om Birla’s First Remarks After No-Confidence Motion FailsIndian Air Force Flags China’s Expanding Influence Across South Asia And Indian Ocean RegionUS Destroys 16 Iran Ships Deployed To Lay Mines In Strait Of Hormuz; Thai Ship Attacked, 3 MissingVideo Shows Moment Hyderabad-Phuket Air India Express Flight Hard Lands At Airport In Thailand123PhotostoriesHow to make Bread Paneer Pakoda for evening snacking with chaiThrowback Thursday: The story behind Hansika Motwani’s 18th-century Mughal art–inspired wedding lehenga that still feels royalFrom panic buying to empty shelves: Nationwide LPG supply fears trigger chaosRihanna, Harry Styles, Lady Gaga and others; Meet the singers who turned actors“Sir” Ravindra Jadeja’s Ahmedabad house worth ₹8 crore even has space for his beloved horses5 Facts You Didn’t Know About the Padmanabhaswamy TempleTwo decades in the shadows: Jammu man and his long-held grudge against Farooq Abdullah10 best hill stations to visit in India this summerRamadan Sehri: 6 egg recipes you can prepare in less than 30 minutesLPG Gas Cylinder Shortage: 5 daily dishes to make in a pressure cooker and simple hacks to make LPG cylinders last longer123Hot PicksStrait of Hormuz naval minesChina Yj-12 missileUCC gender biasCovid vaccine compensation policyIncome Tax CalculatorPublic holidays March 2026Bank Holidays MarchTop TrendingCardi BIPL Teams Match ScheduleThe RockMumbai TemperatureLPG Shortage in MumbaiMadhya Pradesh Student RapeIransoleimani class warshipsIran US WarReliance Oil Refinery in USMiddle East War
NEW DELHI: A public spat erupted between Mani Shankar Aiyar and Shashi Tharoor on Thursday, with both exchanging sharply-worded open letters over foreign policy, ideology and personal remarks.The confrontation began when Aiyar wrote an open letter to Tharoor, published in Frontline magazine, criticising his comments during a television discussion on the ongoing conflict involving Iran, Israel, and the United States.In the letter, Aiyar said he was “shocked to the core” by Tharoor’s remarks and claimed the issue had disturbed him so deeply that he woke up in the early hours to write the message.Recalling the Congress presidential election, Aiyar said he had supported Tharoor’s candidature even though he knew he would lose to Mallikarjun Kharge. Aiyar also said he publicly argued that Kharge should grant Tharoor an honourable place in the party hierarchy despite his defeat.However, Aiyar said he now regretted that support, accusing Tharoor of endorsing a “might is right” approach in international affairs and of being overly cautious about criticising the United States due to possible economic consequences for India.Aiyar also questioned Tharoor’s position as chairman of Parliament’s Standing Committee on External Affairs, arguing that deferring foreign policy decisions to the government undermined the purpose of the role.The veteran Congress leader further criticised Tharoor’s past stance on the Sabarimala Temple entry issue, saying his position on the temple’s restrictions on menstruating women had earlier raised doubts about his ideological alignment with the party.Concluding his letter, Aiyar declared that their differences had reached a breaking point, saying it marked a “parting of ways”.Tharoor responded with an open letter of his own on Thursday, published by NDTV, rejecting Aiyar’s accusations and defending his views.He said disagreement was natural in a healthy democracy but criticised Aiyar for questioning his motives and character.Tharoor said his views on international affairs stem from a “clear nationalist perspective”, adding that weighing geopolitical realities and economic consequences for India should not be viewed as a moral compromise but as responsible policymaking.“No generation holds a monopoly over patriotism, nor over the interpretation of Gandhi or Nehru. The true tribute to their legacy lies in applying their values wisely to the realities of our time,” he wrote.He also rejected Aiyar’s remarks regarding his foreign travel, calling them baseless. Tharoor said his trips abroad, except for participation in an all-party delegation linked to Operation Sindoor, were undertaken in a personal capacity and were not arranged or funded by the government.Responding to criticism over the Sabarimala issue, Tharoor said he had supported the Congress party’s official stand and had previously explained his position in detail.While acknowledging Aiyar’s support during the Congress presidential election, Tharoor said he too had defended Aiyar in the past, including when the veteran leader faced disciplinary action within the party.“I, too, supported you very strongly with the “high command” of the party, especially when you were suspended from its membership. I have no regrets that that injustice has been reversed,” Tharoor wrote.The Thiruvananthpuram MP said Aiyar’s claim of a “parting of ways” was disingenuous, arguing that the break had already become evident through repeated personal remarks directed at him in recent months.
