‘Jaw-Jaw is Better Than War-War But...’: Tharoor on Pak PM’s Debate Dare to Modi

PM Khan had said that a debate with PM Narendra Modi would be beneficial to the billion-plus people of the Indian subcontinent, who have much to gain through better ties with Pakistan.

(Photo: Altered by The Quint)

Hours after Pakistan Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan told Russia TV on Tuesday, 22 February that he wants to have a televised debate with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor responded saying that "jaw-jaw is better than war-war" but added that issues are only exacerbated in Indian TV debates.

Khan had said in the interview, "I would love to debate Narendra Modi on TV," Reuters reported.

Khan had added that such a debate would help the two countries work on their strained relations and give a boost to the peace process.

He further said that a debate would be beneficial to the billion-plus people of the Indian subcontinent, who have much to gain through better ties with Pakistan.

Khan's comments come at a time when Abdul Razzak Dawood, official adviser to PM Khan on commerce and investment, had said that trade between India and Pakistan would benefit both sides.

‘Issues Only Exacerbated in Indian TV Debates’: Tharoor

Congress leader and MP from Thiruvananthapuram Shashi Tharoor, said that while he agrees that "jaw-jaw is better than war-war", issues are never resolved in Indian television debates, but "only exacerbated!"

He added, "And some of our anchors would be happy to ignite World War-III if it would increase their TRPs."

'India's Hostility Dented Trade Relations': Khan

The Pakistan PM also said, "India became a hostile country, so trade with them became minimal," adding that he wanted to promote Pakistan's trade relations with all countries, Reuters reported.

He also added that currently, Pakistan's trading options are very limited – with Iran under crippling sanctions by the United States (US) and Afghanistan reeling from decades of conflict.

Pakistan, however, has good trade relations with China – a point that has constantly irked India because of difficult diplomatic relations between India and China, as well as the border clashes between them since May 2020.

Pakistan has also signed on to become a part of China's massive infrastructure project, the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

Khan is currently in Moscow, where he is scheduled to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin. Khan's visit to Russia marks the first visit by a Pakistani leader to Russia in two decades.

The Indian government has not yet put out an official response regarding Khan's comments.

(With inputs from Reuters.)