Recently, a delegation led by Congress leader Shashi Tharoor has been traveling to the United States, representing one of seven teams sent by India to different parts of the world. Their mission? To explain why India launched Operation Sindoor and to shed light on the country’s evolving stance against cross-border terrorism.
Tharoor made it clear during his talks in New York that Pakistan’s backing of terror activities is no longer something India can tolerate quietly. According to him, Pakistan is behaving like a revisionist power — one that’s willing to use terror tactics to try and grab territory in India. The chilling attack in Pahalgam back in April, which tragically targeted Hindu civilians, was no accident. It was a calculated effort to disrupt peace efforts in Jammu and Kashmir and stir up tensions within India itself.
What really stood out in Tharoor’s explanation was how India’s approach to terrorism has transformed over the years. Unlike before, when responses might have been limited to diplomatic protests or localized retaliation, India is now striking deeper, directly targeting terror networks within Pakistan. The operation that began on May 7 is a clear signal: crossing the border to harm Indian citizens comes with escalating consequences.
Tharoor reminded audiences that India’s response has grown more assertive over time—from the surgical strikes following the Uri attack in 2016 to the air strikes after the Pulwama bombing in 2019. But this time, India crossed not just the Line of Control but also the international border, hitting targets in Pakistan’s heartland. Yet, despite these actions, the message remains clear: India is not looking for war, only to send a firm warning against terrorism.
He made a sharp distinction between India’s desire for peace and Pakistan’s ambitions. While India prefers stability, Pakistan is portrayed as a nation intent on revising borders by any means necessary—even if it means supporting terror groups as proxies. Tharoor’s words underscored a frustration shared by many in India: years of diplomacy and international appeals have failed to convince Pakistan to dismantle terror infrastructure on its soil or bring perpetrators to justice.
One key example Tharoor highlighted was the Pahalgam attack. The terrorists chose their victims based on religion to provoke communal backlash, but the country stood united instead. The attackers’ intent to derail peace and normalization efforts in Kashmir didn’t succeed because of the resilience and unity of the people.
Interestingly, Tharoor also pointed out how China and Pakistan collaborated to erase references to The Resistance Front, linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba, from a UN Security Council statement, illustrating the complex geopolitical challenges India faces.
After the retaliatory strikes in May, which targeted nine terrorist camps, Pakistan responded with several days of military clashes. But Tharoor framed these events as a clear-cut message from India: “You start, we respond. You stop, we stop.” It wasn’t about igniting a prolonged war but about making it unmistakably clear that terrorism will not be tolerated.
In sum, the delegation’s worldwide outreach is about making sure the international community understands that India is charting a new path in how it handles cross-border terror—one marked by decisive action, steadfast resolve, and a refusal to accept the status quo any longer.
