During an interaction with young professionals in the United States, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor struck a balance between advocating peace and delivering a stern warning to Pakistan. Representing India as part of an all-party delegation, Shashi Tharoor highlighted the country’s restrained yet firm response to the recent terror attack in Pahalgam. He emphasized that while India is committed to peace and economic progress, it will not tolerate repeated provocations, especially those linked to cross-border terrorism.
India’s firm stance on cross-border terror
Referring to the Pahalgam attack, Shashi Tharoor said India had no option but to respond. He explained that the country exercised patience but made it clear there are limits. “If they allowed this to happen again, or they actually instigate it and direct it as this one seemed to have been, they will be hit back. We will hit back very hard… Do not take our patience for granted,” Shashi Tharoor warned. He noted that India didn’t seek this conflict and would rather focus on development and poverty alleviation, but terror cannot go unchallenged.
Shashi Tharoor made it clear that India’s intention was never to escalate tensions but to ensure its citizens are protected. He called upon the international community for solidarity and understanding. “We do not want to spend our time on military retaliation,” he said, “but we will not allow people to cross our borders and kill Indians with impunity.”
Evidence and Pakistan’s pattern of denial
Addressing a question on whether any foreign governments asked for evidence of Pakistan’s involvement, Shashi Tharoor said none had done so, and India has credible proof. He pointed out three key observations: First, Pakistan’s repeated history of denial after terror attacks, citing incidents like 26/11 and Osama bin Laden’s presence in Pakistan. “They deny everything until caught red-handed,” he said.
Second, he referred to how The Resistance Front initially claimed responsibility for the April 22 Pahalgam attack and later retracted it. “The credit claim was on record,” Shashi Tharoor said, noting it was visible to the world. Third, he highlighted how photographs circulated showing Pakistani officials, including generals and police officers, attending funerals of terrorists from groups like Jaish-e-Mohammad and Lashkar-e-Taiba after the strikes.
He concluded by pointing out that while India recorded 24 terrorist attacks in the past year linked to Pakistan, none had prompted this kind of response—indicating the severity and direct nature of the Pahalgam incident.
