Raghav Chadha, a prominent leader of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and a Member of Parliament, has recently addressed India's strategic response to the terror attack in Pahalgam. Speaking at the 'Ideas for India Conference 2025' in London, he characterized India's reaction, dubbed "Operation Sindoor," as "measured" and "non-escalatory," emphasizing the nation's commitment to peace while simultaneously asserting its capability for decisive action. His statements come in the wake of a deadly terrorist attack in Pahalgam that claimed the lives of 26 civilians and heightened tensions between India and Pakistan.
The Pahalgam attack, which occurred on April 22, 2025, involved five armed terrorists targeting tourists in the Baisaran Valley near Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir. The attack, considered the deadliest on civilians since the 2008 Mumbai attacks, saw militants armed with M4 carbines and AK-47s specifically targeting Hindu tourists, though a Christian tourist and a local Muslim were also among the deceased. The Resistance Front (TRF), believed to be an offshoot of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), initially claimed responsibility before later denying involvement.
In response to the attack, India launched "Operation Sindoor," conducting strikes on multiple sites in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and Pakistan. Chadha, in his address, defended this operation as a "non-escalatory," "precise," "measured," "calculated," and "swift" response, targeting terror infrastructures across the border while avoiding civilian or military bases. He highlighted that India did not seek international consent before retaliating, underscoring the nation's strategic autonomy.
Chadha has been vocal in condemning Pakistan's role in fostering terrorism. At the 'Ideas for India Conference 2025' and previously at the Asian Leadership Conference in Seoul, South Korea, he asserted that Pakistan is not a victim but a perpetrator of terror. He has also urged the international community to re-evaluate financial aid to Pakistan, arguing that such funds often support terrorist activities that harm countries like India. He emphasized that "blood and water can't flow together," and that tolerance cannot coexist with terrorism.
The Pahalgam attack and India's subsequent response have broader implications for the region's stability. Following the attack, India suspended the Indus Waters Treaty, expelled Pakistani diplomats, and closed borders, actions that Pakistan retaliated against by suspending the Simla Agreement, restricting trade, and closing airspace. These escalating tensions led to military conflict, with India launching airstrikes targeting alleged terror camps in Pakistan.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also addressed the nation, outlining a three-pronged approach to counter-terrorism. This strategy emphasizes India's resolve to respond decisively to every act of terrorism, regardless of its origin, and without being intimidated by nuclear threats. Modi asserted that India would treat the masterminds of terror and the governments that support them with equal resolve.
India's long-term counter-terrorism strategy involves integrating surveillance, intelligence, and surgical operations. It also prioritizes international cooperation, enhancing partnerships with strategic allies for intelligence sharing and cross-border coordination.
Raghav Chadha's perspective on India's response reflects a broader sentiment within the Indian government and its strategic community. It signals a shift towards a more assertive stance against terrorism, emphasizing decisive action while maintaining a commitment to regional peace.
