In recent weeks, heightened tensions between India and Pakistan have captured international attention, particularly following the Pahalgam terror attack and India's subsequent Operation Sindoor. Leading a multi-party parliamentary delegation to the United States, Shashi Tharoor has become a prominent voice articulating India's firm stance against cross-border terrorism and its implications for regional stability. Tharoor's recent statements underscore a significant shift in India's approach, emphasizing a policy of zero tolerance for terrorist activities emanating from Pakistani soil.
Tharoor has minced no words in conveying India's message to the global community. He has articulated that India is not interested in initiating a war with Pakistan. However, he affirmed that any act of aggression targeting Indian civilian, military, or government establishments would be met with a strong and appropriate response. This firm stance reflects India's determination to protect its sovereignty and security in the face of persistent threats.
A key element of Tharoor's message revolves around the idea that dialogue with Pakistan is contingent upon demonstrable action against terrorist infrastructure. Speaking at various forums, including the National Press Club in Washington D.C., he asserted that the issue isn't about finding a common language for communication, but rather establishing a shared vision for decency and peace. He has questioned Pakistan's claims of innocence, pointing to the safe havens and training camps that terrorist organizations allegedly operate within its borders. Tharoor has stated plainly that before any meaningful conversation can occur, Pakistan must dismantle this infrastructure of terrorism.
Tharoor has also addressed the asymmetry of the conflict, highlighting Pakistan's alleged shelling of civilian areas in India, contrasting it with India's targeted strikes on terror infrastructure. He emphasized India's restraint and its commitment to avoiding harm to Pakistani civilians, underscoring that India's conflict is with terrorism, not with the people of Pakistan.
In response to Pakistan's claims of also being a victim of terrorism, Tharoor has pointedly asked, "Whose fault is that?". He has invoked Hillary Clinton's famous "viper" analogy, cautioning against breeding vipers in one's backyard and expecting them to only bite neighbors. He has also drawn attention to the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), questioning the origins of the Taliban itself. Tharoor suggests Pakistan needs to engage in serious introspection before seeking sympathy or denying its role in fostering extremism.
Operation Sindoor, India's response to the Pahalgam attack, has been portrayed by Tharoor as a calibrated and targeted action. He emphasized that the operation was not intended as the opening salvo of a protracted war but rather as a decisive message that India will not tolerate terrorism. Tharoor has highlighted that India made consistent diplomatic efforts to assure global partners of its commitment to avoiding war, reinforcing that its military actions were rooted in deterrence, not aggression.
Tharoor has warned Pakistan that any further provocations would be met with an even stronger response. He reaffirmed India's desire for peace but emphasized that this peace must be maintained with strength, not out of fear. His statements convey a clear message: India seeks stability, but it will not hesitate to defend itself against terrorism.
