Bipartisanship on the Global Stage: India’s Foreign Outreach Gains Momentum
It reflects continuity in India’s diplomatic tradition.
By : DC Web Desk
Update: 2025-05-27 13:12 GMT
India has appointed Congress MP and former UN diplomat Shashi Tharoor to head a multiparty delegation to articulate India's stance post-Operation Sindoor, focusing on cross-border terrorism and regional security before strategic partners and UN Security Council members. Tharoor’s selection, despite claims that Congress did not formally nominate him, has sparked mixed reactions. Some Congress leaders criticize the move, while others see it as a continuation of India’s bipartisan diplomatic tradition.
Historical Precedents in India
India has a history of bipartisan representation in national interest. In 1994, Prime Minister P.V. Narasimha Rao sent opposition leader Atal Bihari Vajpayee to lead a UN Human Rights Commission delegation, alongside Salman Khurshid, to counter a Pakistan-led resolution on Kashmir. In 1988, Rajiv Gandhi included Vajpayee in a US delegation for medical treatment, showcasing a non-partisan commitment to India’s global image. The current delegation includes MPs from various parties: Tharoor (Congress), Ravi Shankar Prasad (BJP), Kanimozhi (DMK), Sanjay Kumar Jha (JD-U), Supriya Sule (NCP-Sharad Pawar), Shrikant Shinde (Shiv Sena-Shinde), and Baijayant Panda (BJP), aiming to present a unified stance on terrorism and global security.
Global Practices: Bipartisan Diplomacy
Involving opposition leaders in foreign policy is common in democracies. Westminster systems like the UK, Australia, and New Zealand use shadow cabinets, where opposition members shadow key portfolios and are briefed on sensitive issues for policy continuity. Examples include:
- United Kingdom (1982): Margaret Thatcher briefed opposition leader Michael Foot during the Falklands War to show national unity.
- United States: Bipartisan missions occurred during the Cold War and Iraq War, with figures like Joe Biden participating under Republican administrations.
- South Africa (1990s): Post-apartheid delegations included ANC and former regime representatives to demonstrate reconciliation.
- Germany: Opposition parties are involved in EU negotiations and defense policy delegations.
These practices highlight bipartisan diplomacy’s role in enhancing legitimacy and national unity.
A Strategic Move
Tharoor’s diplomatic experience as a former UN Under-Secretary-General and author on foreign policy makes him a logical choice, despite Congress proposing alternatives. BJP IT Cell chief Amit Malviya noted on X that Tharoor’s expertise is undeniable. India’s history, from Nehru praising Vajpayee in 1957 to Rao and Gandhi’s outreach, shows a tradition of rising above party lines for coherent global messaging.
Conclusion
Sending a prominent opposition MP like Tharoor on a diplomatic mission is a bold yet strategic move, aligning India with democracies that value bipartisan foreign policy. It reflects continuity in India’s diplomatic tradition amid domestic political tensions.
Written by: Hariom, University of Hyderabad, Intern.