Tharoor tells Jaishankar to 'cool a bit' on West's attitude towards others

Senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor has urged External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar to "cool a bit" following the latter's remark "West has a bad habit of commenting on others" in response to the US and Germany's comments on Rahul Gandhi's disqualification from Lok Sabha.

Tharoor said that there is no need to react to every comment. "We need not be so thin-skinned. I think it's very important that as the government, we take something in stride. If we react to every comment, we are doing ourselves a disservice. I will strongly urge EAM Jaishankar to cool a little bit," ANI quoted Tharoor as saying.

Dr. Jaishankar slammed the West for commenting on India's internal issues. "The West thinks it has a God-given right to comment on internal matters of other countries," ANI had quoted the External Affairs Minister as saying at an event in Bengaluru on Sunday.

Jaishankar said, "I will give you the truthful answer (on why we see West commenting on India). There are two reasons. It is because the West has a bad habit of commenting on others. They somehow think it is some kind of God-given right. They will have to learn only by experience that if they keep doing this, other people will also start commenting (on their internal issues) and they (West) will not like it when it happens. And I see that happening," he said.

Jaishankar was answering to a question asked by Bengaluru South MP Tejasvi Surya during the 'Meet and Greet', an interaction programme organised by Surya and Bengaluru Central MP P.C. Mohan with over 500 young voters, joggers and visitors at Cubbon Park in the city.

"The second part of the truth - In our arguments... you are inviting the people to comment on you. Then more and more people are tempted to comment. We also need to stop giving generous invitations to the world saying there are problems in India, and (urging) America and the world (by saying), 'why are you (just) standing by, doing nothing?" he explained.

"So, if somebody from here goes and says why are you standing by and saying nothing, then obviously they are going to comment. Part of the problem is them, and part of the problem is us. And I think both need fixing," he added.