Recent statements by Shashi Tharoor, a prominent Indian Member of Parliament and Chair of the Committee on External Affairs, have once again brought the issue of Pakistan's alleged support for terrorist organizations into sharp focus. Tharoor has asserted that Pakistan continues to be a "safe haven" for these groups, a claim that has further strained the already tense relations between the two nuclear-armed neighbors.
Tharoor's remarks were made during a meeting with Russian Liberal Democratic Party Chair Leonid Slutsky in Moscow on Tuesday, June 24, 2025. He stated that Pakistan provides terrorist organizations with headquarters, training facilities, funding, and arms, and sends them to other countries. He emphasized that it is difficult to ignore the patronage these groups receive from Pakistan.
These allegations come against a backdrop of heightened tensions between India and Pakistan following a deadly militant strike in Indian-administered Kashmir in April 2025, which resulted in the deaths of 26 people. India has directly blamed Pakistan for the attack and responded by suspending a bilateral water treaty and a key visa program. Pakistan has vehemently denied any involvement, but India remains unconvinced.
In the aftermath of the Pahalgam attack, India launched Operation Sindoor, conducting missile strikes on alleged terrorist infrastructure within Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir. This action triggered a brief but intense military exchange between the two countries, which ultimately ended with a ceasefire brokered through US diplomatic intervention.
Tharoor has been a vocal critic of Pakistan's alleged support for terrorism on multiple international platforms. Addressing an audience in New York, he condemned the religiously motivated killings in the Pahalgam attack and highlighted the involvement of the Resistance Front (TRF), which he linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba. He emphasized that India's strikes were targeted at terror sites and sent a clear message against terrorism.
Tharoor has also expressed disappointment with some international responses to the situation. He criticized the Colombian government for expressing condolences over the loss of lives in Pakistan during Operation Sindoor, rather than sympathizing with the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack. He asserted India's right to self-defense and stated that there should be no equivalence between those who dispatch terrorists and those who resist them.
Despite the recent escalation in tensions, Tharoor has maintained that India does not seek war with Pakistan and is focused on its own growth and development. However, he has also made it clear that India will respond firmly to terrorism and will not tolerate cross-border attacks. He has stated that India is ready to engage in dialogue with Pakistan, but only if it takes significant action against the infrastructure of terrorism that is visible within its borders.
The situation between India and Pakistan remains precarious. While a ceasefire is currently in place, the underlying issues of terrorism and territorial disputes continue to fuel tensions. Tharoor's recent statements underscore the deep-seated mistrust and animosity that exists between the two countries, and highlight the challenges in finding a path towards peaceful coexistence. The international community continues to closely monitor the situation, with concerns over regional stability and the potential for further escalation.
