In the wake of the recent Pahalgam terror attack, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has asserted that the incident is not an isolated event but rather a continuation of a nearly quarter-century-long pattern of cross-border terrorism. Tharoor conveyed to the press that the attack bears the hallmarks of a strategy where “militants are encouraged, trained, armed, and often directed from across the border,” followed by Pakistan’s consistent denial of involvement, despite eventual proof of their culpability.
Tharoor indicated that India, facing public pressure for assertive measures, is likely to opt for a tangible military response. “I am convinced there will be some form of response,” he stated, highlighting the national sentiment demanding decisive action against the perpetrators.
Dismissing Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s proposition of a ‘neutral investigation’ into the attack, Tharoor argued, “You do not ask a murderer to investigate his own murders. Personally, I see no value in Pakistan’s participation in any inquiry.” He deemed the suggestion as inherently flawed and untrustworthy.
Regarding the Union Government’s subsequent actions and their humanitarian implications, Tharoor acknowledged the collateral damage. “The human cost is regrettable. Patients undergoing treatment, separated families, and cases involving mixed nationalities are all being affected,” he admitted. Nevertheless, he suggested that these repercussions are unavoidable when the government seeks to deliver a firm diplomatic message that normal relations are no longer viable.
On the subject of the suspended Indus Waters Treaty, Tharoor characterized it as a predominantly symbolic gesture at this juncture, implying that its immediate practical impact remains limited.