Indian Leaders Critique US Actions Against Venezuela's Maduro

Political leaders in India have voiced strong criticisms of the recent actions taken by the United States against Venezuela, particularly the capture of President Nicolás Maduro. This event, which occurred under the administration of former President Donald Trump, has been described by Indian politicians as a violation of international law.

On Saturday, the US military apprehended Nicolás Maduro, alleging his involvement in 'narco-terrorism'. Indian Member of Parliament Shashi Tharoor, a senior leader of the Indian National Congress, commented on the situation, stating that both international law and the United Nations Charter have been increasingly disregarded. Tharoor remarked on social media platform X, "International law and the UN Charter have for some years now been honoured in the breach. The Law of the Jungle prevails today. 'Might is Right' is the new creed."

Abhishek Manu Singhvi, another Congress leader, echoed these concerns, labelling the US's actions as a regression to a form of imperialism. He stated, "Regime change by cruise missile, democracy delivered by warship, and sovereignty rewritten under self-styled doctrine? This is not leadership; this is 19th-century imperialism in 21st-century jargon. If international law matters only to the weak, the UN should shut shop. The world deserves rules, not lunatic rulers."

Shiv Sena leader Shaina NC also expressed her apprehensions regarding the implications of the US's actions. She emphasised India's historical ties with Venezuela, highlighting the importance of diplomatic relations with Latin America. In her remarks to the Press Trust of India, she stated, "This is a matter of grave concern, as ties with Latin America and South America have been carefully nurtured. The Ministry of External Affairs has advised that the safety of Indian nationals living there should be prioritised. No country can go around bullying the world; the situation must be viewed holistically."

Asaduddin Owaisi, the president of the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen, took a different angle, suggesting that India should take a similar stance towards Pakistan. He argued, "If Trump can send his forces and capture the Venezuelan leader, then why can't Prime Minister Narendra Modi send our army to Pakistan to capture the attackers of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack, Masood Azhar? If Trump can do it, so can you [Modi]."

In response, Bihar minister and Bharatiya Janata Party leader Jaiswal dismissed Owaisi's comments as sensationalism, saying, "He is advising US President Donald Trump. I pray that President Trump will consider his advice."

The actions taken by the US against Nicolás Maduro have sparked a significant political discourse in India, raising questions regarding international relations and the role of global governance. As these developments unfold, Indian leaders continue to call for a reassessment of how international law is upheld and the implications of unilateral military actions on global diplomacy.