Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has firmly stated that mediation between India and Pakistan is not a viable option, emphasizing the fundamental inequality between the two nations. Tharoor articulated his position during a conversation at the Council of Foreign Relations in Washington, highlighting that India cannot equate itself with a state that harbors terrorists and seeks to disrupt established geopolitical norms.

Tharoor's remarks come amid repeated claims by former US President Donald Trump that he helped mediate tensions between India and Pakistan. Trump had also suggested offering both countries increased trade with the US in exchange for peace. However, Tharoor dismissed these claims, asserting that India never sought or desired any mediation.

According to Tharoor, "Mediation is not a term that we are particularly willing to entertain. The fact is that this implies an equivalence which simply doesn't exist." He elaborated on this point, stating, "There is no equivalence between a state that is a status quo power that just wants to be left alone by its neighbours and a revisionist power that wants to upset the geopolitical arrangements that have existed for the last three-quarters of a century." He further added that to suggest mediation between two unequals is not possible.

Tharoor, who is leading a multi-party delegation on Operation Sindoor, stressed that India sees no similarity between terrorists and their victims. He stated, "There is no equivalence between a country that provides safe haven to terrorism and a country that's a flourishing multi-party democracy that's trying to get on with its business."

In a related context, Tharoor addressed the role of China in the India-Pakistan dynamic. He acknowledged China's significant stakes in Pakistan, particularly through the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, a major project under the Belt and Road Initiative. He pointed out that a substantial portion of Pakistan's defense equipment originates from China, suggesting a deeper strategic alignment between the two countries. Despite previous tensions between India and China, Tharoor noted that there had been a thaw in relations prior to recent events, but China's support for Pakistan in international forums remains a challenge.

Tharoor also addressed young professionals in the US, urging peace but warning Pakistan against provoking India. He referenced India's response to the recent Pahalgam terror attack, stating that India demonstrated patience but also made it clear that its tolerance for cross-border terrorism has limits. He cautioned that if such attacks were to recur or be instigated by Pakistan, India would respond forcefully.

Tharoor highlighted the asymmetry of the conflict, pointing out that Pakistan's military has targeted civilian areas in India, while India has focused its strikes on terror infrastructure. He questioned why Pakistan does not shut down the safe havens it has created for terrorists if it does not want to be targeted.