At the Mathrubhumi International Festival of Letters 2025 (MBIFL 2025), veteran Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar offered a sharp critique of Indian politics and diplomacy. In a discussion with Shashi Tharoor on his book Memoirs of a Maverick: The First Fifty Years (1941–1991), Aiyar questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s diplomatic approach.

Hugs for the world, not for India

Known for his sharp wit and outspoken nature, Aiyar questioned Modi’s leadership style, highlighting what he called a selective approach to warmth and engagement.  

“Have you ever seen him embrace in India? He reserves his hugs for foreign heads of state,” Aiyar remarked, drawing both laughter and applause from the audience.

Aiyar criticised Modi’s well-documented habit of hugging global leaders while refraining from similar gestures within India. He remarked that despite the grand optics, India’s relationships with neighbouring countries, including Pakistan and China, remain strained.

"You cannot govern foreign policy through slogans and spectacle. It requires persistent engagement," he said.

He also took a swipe at External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar’s justification of Modi’s diplomatic style as part of "Indian culture", questioning whether that culture extended only beyond India’s borders.

He asked, "Is Indian culture to hug outside India but not in India?"

According to Aiyar, true diplomacy should prioritise substance over theatrics, focusing on long-term engagement rather than public displays of warmth.

The need for dialogue in politics

Shifting focus to domestic politics, Aiyar emphasised the importance of open dialogue between leaders, regardless of political differences. He argued that strong governance is built on debate and engagement, not isolation.

“Politics was about debate and dissent, not outright hostility. Today, opponents are treated as enemies, not rivals,” he remarked.

Indo-Pak relations and lost opportunities

Aiyar, who has visited Pakistan over 40 times, also addressed India-Pakistan relations, lamenting the missed opportunities for peace. He recalled his time as India’s first Consul-General in Karachi, saying, “Despite political tensions, I was welcomed with warmth. People on both sides admire each other, but politics overshadows that goodwill.”

Criticising the government’s approach to foreign policy, Aiyar stated, “This government has never even tried to engage with our neighbours or foster real friendships in the region.” He argued that diplomacy should be about “fostering understanding, not blocking cultural and political exchanges.”

History and political narratives

Discussing his memoir, Aiyar urged readers to approach history with nuance rather than political bias. He criticised the tendency to view historical events in absolute terms, either glorifying or vilifying them.

“History is a tapestry of victories, failures, compromises, and lessons,” he said, cautioning against simplistic narratives.

Addressing controversies

Aiyar also addressed the long-standing controversy surrounding his alleged remark calling Modi a "chaiwala." He said his answer was twisted by media outlets and questioned the authenticity of Modi’s claim of selling tea on a railway platform in the past.

"I never called him a chaiwala. And he was never a chaiwala. How could he be, when the railway platform where he claimed to have sold tea didn’t even exist at the time he says he was selling tea," Aiyar asked.

Through his remarks at MBIFL 2025, Aiyar reinforced his belief in meaningful political engagement, diplomacy, and open debate. While his views remain contentious, his broader message was clear: India’s leadership must prioritise substance over spectacle, both in governance and international relations.