Press Articles and Interviews

Shashi Tharoor : India not competing with China over Africa

March 17, 2010

ndia was not competing with China or any other country to expand its influence in Africa, Minister of State for External Affairs Shashi Tharoor said on Monday. "We don't see this as a competitive exercise between the two countries," he told reporters at the India-Africa conclave here. The minister was asked if
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Tharoor unveils Indian model of engagement with Africa

March 17, 2010

Against the backdrop of China's surging trade with Africa, Minister of State for External Affairs Shashi Tharoor Monday outlined the unique Indian model of engagement with the continent that revolves around capacity building, training and private sector investments. 'The model of our cooperation with Africa is clearly one seeking mutual
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Cartoon!

March 6, 2010

Whatever Shashi Tharoor tweets would become a news. He's back in the news for using a word INTERLOCUTOR. And he had to tweet some extra to explain what that word meant! Name of Source: Blogspot
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Latest Tharoor controversy is storm in v-cup

March 3, 2010

There is no way the Minister’s words can be taken as suggesting Saudi mediation A storm in a v-cup — v for vocabulary — is how the latest controversy over Shashi Tharoor’s remarks ought to be described. For only someone with a very modest collection of words at his disposal,
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Manufacturing Controversy

March 1, 2010

Manufacturing a controversy On the diabolical role of certain sections of electronic media in the latest Tharoor controversy. Another public statement by Shashi Tharoor and another controversy. So what’s new with that? It is easy to dismiss that off with a shrug and get back to watching that heady cocktail of Bollywood,
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Branding and the ‘me’ economy

February 26, 2010

CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS — For Benjamin Franklin, it was “early to bed and early to rise.” For Dale Carnegie, it was the dictate “to do and dare.” For Stephen Covey, it was seven simple habits. The gospel of self-improvement has taken varied forms throughout history and is perhaps America’s most successful export.
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NDTV Awards: New Age Politician of the Year – Shashi Tharoor

February 25, 2010

The Election Commission of India was honoured as India's Icon of the Last 21 Years by television channel NDTV at a star-studded ceremony here last night when people from various walks of life were feted for their achievements. Actors Amitabh Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Oscar Award-winning
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India doing well economically, yet a long way to go: Tharoor

February 25, 2010

Mumbai: Indian banks not buying toxic mortgage-backed securities, a good show on the services export front, robust remittances from abroad and the fact that the GDP does not come from the external sector, has helped India cope well with the global economic crisis, Union Minister of State for External
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Shashi Tharoor’s new choreography: Dance diplomacy

February 19, 2010

Diplomacy tends to be practiced in a rather predictable way. But now, Minister of state for External Affairs Shashi Tharoor has come up with a new concept - dance diplomacy. "I wanted to give diplomats a feel of our precious cultural heritage. Diplomacy tends to be practiced in rather predictable patterns
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Ideology of Thackerays can be rendered irrelevant: Tharoor

February 13, 2010

It would not be easy to change ideology of people like the Thackerays but they can be "rendered irrelevant", feels Union Minister Shashi Tharoor. Asked on the social networking site 'Twitter' that if there was a chance to change the ideology of people like the Thackerays, he said, "perhaps not,
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“Polyphony and Contradictions Are Considered Indispensable in India”

February 13, 2010

Ever since Salman Rushdie's novel Midnight's Children won the prestigious Man Booker Prize in 1981, there has been a whole series of very successful Indian writers. Hans Dembowski discussed the significance of bestseller writers such as Aravind Adiga, Arundhati Roy and Shashi Tharoor with Anant Kumar Who is the audience of
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Africa’s needs are great enough for both India & China: Tharoor

February 9, 2010

The former UN under-secretary general, now in charge of Africa, West Asia and Latin America at India’s foreign ministry, Shashi Tharoor speaks about his plans to improve ties with these nations. New Delhi: Controversies have oveshadowed Shashi Tharoor’s contributions as minister of state for external affairs. The former United Nations under-secretary
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A Friend in Deed: Tharoor in Haiti

February 3, 2010

Standing on the rubble of the United Nations headquarters building in Port-au-Prince 10 days ago, Shashi Tharoor removed a four-year-old stain on Indian diplomacy. The first Indian minister to ever set foot in Haiti, he told its president, René Garcia Préval, that New Delhi had not merely pledged five million
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The capacity to engage

February 2, 2010

The capacity to engage In the first of a two-part interview, Shashi Tharoor and Nitin Pai discuss Africa, strengthening the foreign service and changing foreign policy planning. Reviewing Shashi Tharoor’s first book, Reasons of State (1981) in Foreign Affairs, a critique of Indian foreign policy under Indira Gandhi in the period
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Ethiopian PM holds talks with Shashi Tharoor

January 30, 2010

Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi held discussions here friday with the visiting Indian Minister of State for External Affairs, Shashi Tharoor. They held fruitful discussions on Ethiopian-Indian relations and other issues of common interest at the Office of the Prime Minister, according a senior government official who attended the meeting. The two
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Telemedicine facility of Pan-African network inaugurated

January 29, 2010

New Delhi, Jan 29 (IANS) India is willing to share its expertise with Africa in bridging the digital divide, Minister of State for External Affairs Shashi Tharoor has said in Addis Ababa while inaugurating a telemedicine facility of India’s flagship information technology initiative, Pan-African e-network. Speaking in Addis Ababa, Tharoor said: “We
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Press Release: Shashi Tharoor in Dominican Republic

January 25, 2010

 Visit of Dr Shashi Tharoor , Minister of State for External Affairs to the Dominican Republic, 23-25 January 2010.  Dr Shashi Tharoor, Minister of State for External Affairs, visited the Dominican Republic on an official visit at the invitation of its President, H.E. Dr Leonel Fernandez Reyna, during 23-25 January 2010.
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Shashi Tharoor in Haiti

January 25, 2010

From Twitter: In Haiti. There's hope amid the heartbreak: signs of revival. Met UN officials striving to rebuild. Old friends in charge. Mourned lost ones about 16 hours ago from UberTwitter With Indian UN staff incl 1 frm Tvm. UN Indians stuck together in aftermath of shock. Great spirit. Tried
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TED transcript: Why Nations Should Pursue “Soft” Power

January 22, 2010

As an Indian, and now as a politician and a government minister, I've become rather concerned about the hype we're hearing about our own country -- all this talk about India becoming a world leader, even the next superpower. In fact, the American publishers of my book, "The Elephant, The
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Shashi Tharoor Announces Twinning Agreement with Barcelona

January 18, 2010

Thiruvananthapuram MP Dr Shashi Tharoor concluded on Friday an agreement in principle with the Mayor of Barcelona, Sr. Jordi Hereu, to twin the two cities. The agreement requires appropriate clearance from the concerned authorities in New Delhi and the signature of the Mayor of Tvm. It will feature concrete projects
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It’s simple: India doesn’t want to see its citizens harmed

January 15, 2010

Picture the scene of a car accident. An injured person lies on the ground needing help while the two drivers squabble over who caused the crash. That's about how intelligent the debate over attacks on Indian students has been. It is embarrassing to watch politicians, police and the media in Australia
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ICWA Statement by Dr. Shashi Tharoor

January 10, 2010

STATEMENT BY DR SHASHI THAROOR Minister of State for External Affairs I am dismayed by the inaccurate and tendentious reporting of a statement attributed to me at a seminar organized by the Indian Council of World Affairs on 8 January 2010. Lord Bhikhu Parekh’s speech on “India’s Place in the World” was an
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When Tharoor turned Saviour

December 21, 2009

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The 26/11 terror attack in Mumbai had its effect on the recently-concluded 14th edition of the International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK). Seven foreign delegates, including jury chairman Ghobadi Bahman who was carrying an Iranian passport, had trouble getting visas to land in Thiruvananthapuram, following the strict visa
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Now, international diplomacy on Twitter

December 13, 2009

A tripartite meeting on Twitter? That’s what happened among the foreign ministers of Bahrain, Egypt and India. Bahrain’s Khalid bin Ahmad Al Khalifa sat with his Egyptian counterpart, Ahmed Aboul Gheit, at a cafe in Bahrain last week and ‘tweeted’
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Neighbours divided

December 12, 2009

The title is from a line in Ramachandra Guha's A Corner of a Foreign Field; both writers have acknowledged a debt to that excellent history of the game in the subcontinent. The authors have taken off their diplomatic hats in an attempt to say it like it is, and that
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Devil’s Advocate: Tharoor speaks on Pak’s N-arms

December 7, 2009

Have President Obama's Af-Pak plans cast a shadow over Indo-US relations and perhaps introduced an element of tension between India and Pakistan? That is the key issue Karan Thapar discussed in this week's Devil's Advocate with the Minister of State for
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‘Cannot Afford To Have A Relationship Of Antagonism’

December 1, 2009

Extracts from the valedictory address by Shashi Tharoor, Minister of State for External Affairs at the International Conference on the theme of “Emerging China: Prospects for Partnership in Asia” November 22, 2009, New Delhi under the auspices of the Indian Council of World Affairs (ICWA) and the Association of Asia
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India not kowtowing to any foreign country on Iran: Tharoor

November 28, 2009

India cannot be accused of kowtowing to any foreign country, Minister of State for External Affairs Shashi Tharoor said on Saturday, defending India's vote for the IAEA censure resolution against Iran. India had Friday voted in favour of the resolution at Vienna-based International Atomic Energy Agency against Iran over its nuclear
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India, China cannot have antagonistic relationship: Tharoor

November 22, 2009

Noting that Indian government does not view China or its development as a "threat", minister of state for external affairs Shashi Tharoor today said the two countries cannot afford to have a relationship of "antagonism" and should join hands for prosperity and "common good".
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Shashi Tharoor Tweets-up with Bangalore.

November 7, 2009

When and Indian Minister of State for External Affairs, who has served as the Under Secretary General of the UN starts to Twitter @ShashiTharoor, he is bound to draw an followers gigabytes. He joined Twitter on 16th of March this year, and after initially being unconvinced about using it as
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Tickets To Wickets!

November 3, 2009

In the city for the launch of his latest co-authored book, minister of external affairs Shashi Tharoor not only spoke of the politics and religion of cricket, but also stole the show with his sensational sense of humour.
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Calcutta passport for diplomacy

October 31, 2009

South Block’s efforts to take Indian diplomacy out of the rarefied environment of New Delhi’s Raisina Hill and Chanakyapuri and allow the rest of the country to feel its working will receive a shot in the arm on Saturday when Shashi Tharoor, the minister of state for external affairs, sits
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Political violence has affected image of Kerala: Tharoor

October 27, 2009

Union Minister of State for External Affairs Shashi Tharoor has said that manipulation of electoral rolls in the Kannur Assembly constituency and political violence here has affected the image of the State. Addressing an election campaign meeting organised by the United Democratic Front (UDF) on Tuesday evening, Mr. Tharoor said the
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In Conversation on CNN:Fareed Zakaria and Shashi Tharoor: Part 2

October 26, 2009

ZAKARIA: Last week I tried to bring a new perspective to the crisis in Pakistan by looking at how its problems affect its neighbor and traditional enemy, India. I spoke with Shashi Tharoor, who is essentially the deputy foreign minister or deputy secretary of state of India. Last week we talked a
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Shashi Tharoor’s sojourn in New York

October 23, 2009

After almost two weeks of diplomatic meetings, wowing New Yorkers and interviewing with old friends like Steven Colbert and Fareed Zakaria… Foreign Minister, Shashi Tharoor, left New York and is heading to the West African nation of Benin. On his first official visit to New York, the minister addressed the United
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India not competing with China in Africa: Tharoor

October 18, 2009

India's relationship with African countries is independent of China's activities in the continent and competition with Beijing does not determine its policies for Africa, Minister of State for External Affairs Shashi Tharoor has said. "As far as we're concerned, our relationship with the very many countries of Africa is independent of
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Old ‘rivals’ greet each other with new charm

October 17, 2009

Three years back, they were rivals for the same job. Today, they were shaking hands in a meeting which, at least on surface, looked quite warm. United Nations Secretary-General Ban ki Moon [ Images ] shook hands with Minister of State for External Affairs
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India has nothing to do with Balochistan insurgency: Tharoor

October 17, 2009

India has no role in insurgency in Pakistan’s Balochistan province and unlike “certain other countries” it does not follow the policy of destabilising its neighbours, Minister of State for External Affairs, Mr Shashi Tharoor said on Thursday. Negating Pakistan’s recent accusations about India’s support to separatists in Balochistan, Mr Tharoor said:
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Will walk extra mile if Pak acts against 26/11 attackers

October 17, 2009

India is prepared to walk the “extra mile” to normalise relations with Pakistan if it takes action against the perpetrators of the Mumbai attacks and dismantles terrorism infrastructure, Minister of State for External Affairs Shashi Tharoor has said. Tharoor, who is on a visit here, said India was not
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Terrorism and South Asian security: The Century Foundation

October 16, 2009

LAURENTI: Good afternoon, good afternoon. I want to welcome you all to the Century Foundation, and to a very special luncheon, because this is, in a sense, for many of us who have been involved in or around the United Nations community over the years, a special homecoming, to welcome
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NRIs seek Tharoor’s help

October 13, 2009

Seeking to protect their properties and investments back home, Non-Residents Indians (NRIs) here have asked Union Minister of State for External Affairs Shashi Tharoor to sponsor a new Bill that will safeguard their interest. Supporters of the proposal voiced their grievances on how their properties were allegedly taken over by government,
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India enhances contribution for Palestinian refugees

October 13, 2009

India has decided to increase to $1 million its contribution to the United Nations agency working with Palestinian refugees. A statement of the ministry of external affairs said that increase in contribution was "keeping with India's consistent and principled support
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Minister praises Indian commercial ties

October 7, 2009

India’s only “tweeting” minister used the spoken word yesterday to celebrate trading links between his country and the UAE. “This is a relationship that really matters to us,” said Shashi Tharoor, as he disclosed that the UAE had become India’s top trading partner in goods and merchandise. The minister of state for
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Dubai CP receives Indian External Affairs Min.

October 6, 2009

Bilateral relations and between the UAE and India and ways to further promote them in all areas were at the focus of talks by H.H Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and visiting Minister of state for external affairs Dr Shashi Tharoor. At the meeting in
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India, Bahrain to back each other for UN seat

October 6, 2009

Reciprocating Bahrain's support for its UN Security Council (UNSC) aspirations, India Tuesday said it will support the Gulf country's bid for a non-permanent seat in the UNSC in 2026-27. Bahrain reiterated its position that India's
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Tharoor’s made-easy diplomacy lessons for twitterati

September 23, 2009

Shashi Tharoor, the 53-year-old minister of state for external affairs, has brought about a new understanding of India's relations with Liberia and Ghana, two African nations no one really cares about. Shorn of the sophisticated, often incomprehensible, language that
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Tharoor aims high

September 15, 2009

NEW DELHI: Shashi Tharoor, the most visible political face in the foreign ministry, wants to get down to the business of shaping the way India crafts its foreign policy. After getting a nod from foreign minister S M Krishna and foreign secretary Nirupama Rao, Tharoor is all set to overhaul what was
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India not surprised, asks US to strictly monitor aid to Pak

September 14, 2009

A day after former Pakistan president Pervez Musharraf's confession about US aid being diverted against India, Minister of State for External Affairs Shashi Tharoor on Monday asked Washington to monitor its aid to Islamabad. "We support countries helping Pakistan fighting against terrorism, but we do not expect the aid turned against
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Lifeline from Twitterer Tharoor for Kerala girl

September 11, 2009

Who says Tweeting is all about chitchatting and social networking. A Kerala slum girl who lost both her legs in a railway accident would not agree. Minister of State for External Affairs Shashi Tharoor posted 17-year-old Sridevi's heart-wrenching story on Twitter on July 26 and help came pouring in from his
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Think of India’s global role: Tharoor

August 20, 2009

Asking the media to shed its "obsession" with Pakistan, Minister of State for External Affairs Shashi Tharoor on Wednesday rued the lack of expertise in the country on international issues and exhorted the youth to think of India's place in the world. "Our foreign policy debates in
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Tharoor twitters about Africa, Arab charge

June 3, 2009

New Delhi: Minister of state for external affairs Shashi Tharoor will be in charge of Africa and the Arab world. This information did not come from the ministry but from Tharoor's Twitter page which he updates whenever he gets time. "First meeting with ministry of external affairs (MEA) minister SM Krishna,
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Being part of MEA is a privilege: Tharoor

June 3, 2009

NEW DELHI: New ministers of state (MoS) in foreign ministry, Shashi Tharoor and Preneet Kaur, took charge early morning on Friday. While Tharoor refrained from biting the proverbial bullet, merely stating that he had to learn before talking, Kaur asserted that India was not going to tolerate terrorism emanating from Pakistan. Tharoor,
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Pakistan not serious: India

June 3, 2009

NEW DELHI: The Indian government voiced its unhappiness on Tuesday over the Lahore High Court (LHC) decision to release Jaamatud Dawa chief Hafiz Saeed, saying it demonstrated Pakistan was not “serious” in tackling terror. Home Minister P Chidambaram told reporters outside Parliament House the release of the JD chief has ruined
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Shashi Tharoor, Minister, live on Twitter

June 3, 2009

Good and constructive mtg with Law Minister on Kerala High Court, visits from expat Keralites, reception by Delhi Mal Assn. Quite a day: representation from National Students Union of India on Australia, Pak release of LeT chief, lots of visiting Ambassadors... First dinner by EAM for diplomatic corps. back on a beat
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