Global politics can be a tricky maze, and Prithviraj Chavan's recent outburst on Venezuela has me reflecting on India's place in it all. As someone who's followed diplomatic twists since my college days debating UN reforms, it's unsettling to see an elected leader like Nicolas Maduro allegedly "kidnapped" amid US allegations. On January 6, 2026, Chavan, the former Maharashtra CM and Congress stalwart, slammed the Modi government's deafening silence, calling it a violation of the UN Charter. He ominously warned, "It could be India tomorrow," a statement that gives me chills thinking about our own democratic vulnerabilities. Dismissing US narcotics charges against Maduro as "bogus" without solid proof, Chavan ties the chaos to Venezuela's massive oil reserves—the world's largest—suggesting it's all about energy control as a geopolitical weapon.
India's pattern of neutrality, from sitting on the fence in Ukraine to the Israel-Hamas conflict, stems from "fear of the US," he argues, and I couldn't agree more; it's like we're tiptoeing around superpowers instead of striding confidently. With Russia and China voicing condemnation, why the hush from New Delhi? As the third-largest economy gunning for a permanent UN Security Council seat, India needs to step up and take stands, not play both sides. In my opinion, this hesitation undermines our global leadership aspirations—remember, true power comes from bold voices at the high table. Chavan's call for assertive foreign policy is a wake-up; it's time India speaks up to safeguard international norms and our own future.
TL;DR
- Congress leader Prithviraj Chavan criticizes the Modi government for its silence on Venezuela's crisis, where an elected president was allegedly forcibly removed, violating international law and the UN Charter.
- Chavan warns that the Venezuelan developments, including the "kidnapping" of President Nicolas Maduro, could happen to any country, explicitly stating it might occur in India tomorrow.
- He accuses India of failing to take a clear stand on the Venezuela matter, unlike Russia and China, which have criticized alleged US actions.
- Chavan draws parallels to India's neutral positions in other conflicts, such as not siding in the Ukraine war or the Israel-Hamas issue, attributing this to fear of the United States.
- Regarding US charges against Maduro for narcotics trafficking, Chavan calls them "bogus" claims without evidence, viewing them as politically motivated.
- Chavan links the crisis to Venezuela's vast energy reserves, noting it has the world's largest oil stores, which the US eyes as a strategic weapon.
- He highlights that parts of the international community have condemned the events in Venezuela, but India remains silent as usual.
- Chavan questions India's global ambitions, arguing that as the third-largest economy aspiring for a UN Security Council permanent seat, it must take firm positions.
- He stresses that India cannot please both sides in international disputes and needs to actively play a role to assert leadership.
- The article calls for India to speak up "at the high table" of global affairs, emphasizing the need for a more decisive foreign policy approach.
