Shashi Tharoor Delivers Sharp Rebuttal on India’s Military Strike and Pakistan’s Denials During US Visit
Congress MP Shashi Tharoor offered a pointed yet witty response to a U.S. journalist’s question regarding India’s recent military operations against Pakistan and whether they were intended as a signal to China.
Speaking at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C., Tharoor remarked:
“What happened on the night of the 9th and 10th speaks for itself — and even more so, Pakistan’s decision to back down the following morning sends a loud and clear message.
Perhaps that’s the message the Chinese should be paying attention to.”
Tharoor noted that the Pakistani military employed Chinese-made weapons and that India had effectively neutralized Chinese radar systems and bypassed the so-called Chinese “kill chain” infrastructure.
“We weren’t worried about who got the message,” Tharoor said. “The priority was that Pakistan got it — and they certainly did.”
These remarks come amid heightened tensions following India’s precision strikes on nine terror hubs in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) in response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people, mostly tourists.
Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar had earlier claimed in Parliament that Chinese J-10C fighter jets were used to shoot down five Indian aircraft, including Rafale jets — an assertion India has not officially confirmed.
Meanwhile, China’s Foreign Ministry dismissed any knowledge of such involvement. Spokesperson Lin Jian stated they were “not familiar with the matter” when asked about Chinese weaponry used during the conflict.
Strong Bipartisan Support from the US
Tharoor is currently leading an all-party Indian parliamentary delegation to the United States, part of a broader global outreach effort following Operation Sindoor.
During the visit, the Indian delegation met with key U.S. lawmakers, including House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Brian Mast and Ranking Member Gregory Meeks.
Chairman Mast strongly condemned the Pahalgam attack and affirmed support for India’s right to defend itself. “When you are attacked, you have no choice but to respond,” Mast said.
He emphasized the enduring friendship between India and the U.S., saying the relationship is poised for further growth and strategic alignment.
Question from His Son, Answer from a Statesman
During the interaction, Tharoor fielded a question from an unexpected source — his son, Washington Post journalist Ishaan Tharoor.
Ishaan asked whether any country had requested evidence of Pakistan’s involvement in the Pahalgam attack and how India was responding to Pakistan’s repeated denials.
Tharoor responded, “I didn’t plant that question, I promise,” before stating that no country had asked for evidence — they had no doubts. He added, “India would not have retaliated unless it had credible and convincing evidence.”
A Pattern of Denial and Terror
Tharoor elaborated on Pakistan’s history of terrorism and denial, citing past examples such as the 2008 Mumbai attacks and the discovery of Osama bin Laden near a Pakistani army base.
He described a recurring pattern over the past 37 years: “They dispatch terrorists, then deny involvement—until they’re caught red-handed.”
Regarding the Pahalgam attack, Tharoor pointed out that within 45 minutes, the Resistance Front (TRF), a known front for Lashkar-e-Taiba, claimed responsibility.
He stressed that TRF is a banned group recognized by the United Nations and the U.S. State Department and operates openly from Muridke, Pakistan.
India has submitted evidence to the UN Terrorism Committee on TRF’s activities, but listing the group under UN sanctions has faced roadblocks, partly because Pakistan is a member of the committee.
“The world hadn’t even heard about the attack when they [TRF] claimed responsibility. They reiterated it 24 hours later before retracting the statement — likely after realising the gravity of the situation,” Tharoor noted.
Evidence from the Ground
Tharoor added that following India’s retaliatory strikes on May 7, funerals were held for members of terror outfits like Jaish-e-Mohammad and Lashkar-e-Taiba.
Photographs circulated on social media showed Pakistani generals and police officers attending these ceremonies, further confirming the militants’ affiliations and Pakistan’s complicity.
He emphasized three key pieces of evidence that justified India’s response:
- TRF’s immediate and public claim of responsibility.
- Pakistan’s long track record of harboring terrorists while denying involvement.
- Uniformed Pakistani officials attend the funerals of known militants.
India’s Operation Sindoor — launched to eliminate terror infrastructure in Pakistan and PoK — is part of a broader international effort, with Indian parliamentary delegations also visiting Brazil and European nations to build consensus against terrorism and reinforce India’s national security concerns on the world stage.
