Shashi Tharoor interview: How British Colonialism 'destroyed' India

Summary

In this interview, Indian MP and former UN Under-Secretary-General Shashi Tharoor discusses his book 'Inglorious Empire: What the British Did to India'. Tharoor argues that the British Empire exploited India for its own benefit, with infrastructure like railways built for colonialists rather than Indians. He criticizes the UK's historical amnesia regarding its colonial past and suggests that in post-Brexit trade negotiations, the UK should consider India's demands, including immigration for students and workers. Tharoor emphasizes the importance of acknowledging history for future progress.

Takeaways

• 📚 Shashi Tharoor, an Indian MP and former UN Under-Secretary-General, has published a book titled 'Inglorious Empire: What the British Did to India', critiquing the British colonial past.
• 🚂 Tharoor argues that the British Empire's infrastructure in India, like the rail system, primarily served British interests rather than benefiting Indian citizens.
• 🏛 He likens colonial practices in India to theft, which led to widespread death and destruction, and criticizes the lack of awareness and education about these historical injustices in Britain.
• 🌍 Post-Brexit, the UK is seeking trade opportunities with Commonwealth countries, with India being a significant potential partner, as highlighted by the upcoming Commonwealth trade ministers' meeting in London.
• 🤝 Tharoor suggests that in trade negotiations, the UK may need to consider allowing more Indian immigrants, including students and workers, which could be a point of discussion.
• 🏫 Indian students face challenges in obtaining visas to study in the UK, and Tharoor has raised concerns about their conditions and the need for practical experience opportunities post-study.
• 🤔 Tharoor is conscious of Brexit's implications, especially for Indian companies that had established a presence in the UK for access to the European market.
• 🤝 He envisions a potential free trade agreement that includes the free movement of people to some extent, acknowledging India's strengths in services and expertise, like IT and software.
• 💡 Tharoor emphasizes the importance of historical awareness, stating that understanding the past is crucial for appreciating the future, and this awareness should inform current relations and negotiations.
• 🏏 With a touch of humor, Tharoor refers to the UK's repeated defeats in cricket as a basis for a 'special relationship', underlining that trade negotiations are business matters and not driven by nostalgia.

Q & A

What is the main argument of Shashi Tharoor's book 'Inglorious Empire'?

Shashi Tharoor argues in his book 'Inglorious Empire' that the British Empire was more about Britain's benefit than India's, and that it was conducted with deep racism and immoral cynicism, leading to India's impoverishment.

How does Shashi Tharoor view the symbols of the British Empire in India, such as the rail system?

Tharoor believes that the symbols of the British Empire in India, including the rail system, were built primarily for the benefit of the British rather than for the Indian citizens.

What is Shashi Tharoor's stance on the historical amnesia regarding the British Empire's actions in India?

Shashi Tharoor criticizes the lack of awareness and education about the British Empire's atrocities and its impact on India, suggesting that historical amnesia is a British problem.

How does Tharoor feel about the UK's approach to teaching colonial history?

Tharoor expresses concern that colonial history, including the impact of the British Empire, is not sufficiently taught in UK schools, leading to a lack of awareness among the younger generation.

What is Tharoor's opinion on the relevance of the British Empire to modern India?

Tharoor suggests that the British Empire does not hold much relevance for modern Indians, who are generally forgiving and have largely forgotten the past, but he emphasizes the importance of not forgetting history.

How does Shashi Tharoor view the potential for a free trade agreement between the UK and India post-Brexit?

Tharoor believes that a significant free trade agreement is possible if there is a real give and take in negotiations, but it will not be based on nostalgia for the Empire.

What does Tharoor think about the issue of Indian immigration to the UK, especially concerning students and workers?

Tharoor is concerned about the difficulties Indian students face in obtaining visas to study in the UK and the conditions for temporary work permits after their studies. He suggests that this issue needs to be addressed in trade negotiations.

How does Tharoor respond to the idea of a 'special relationship' between India and the UK?

Tharoor humorously suggests that a 'special relationship' might be considered if the UK continues to lose at cricket to India, but he emphasizes that trade negotiations are business propositions and not based on such affinities.

What is Shashi Tharoor's advice to young people regarding the importance of history?

Tharoor advises young people to be aware of history, stating that understanding where they have come from is essential to appreciating where they are going.

How does Tharoor view the impact of Brexit on Indian companies that have established themselves in the UK?

Tharoor acknowledges that Brexit is a significant concern for Indian companies in the UK, as it may affect their access to the European market and could lead them to consider relocating to other countries like Ireland.