Congress MP Shashi Tharoor spoke to young professionals in the US as part of an all-party delegation. While addressing them, he said India responded to the Pahalgam terror attack with “restraint and firmness.” He stressed that India had no option but to act, saying, “We felt we had no choice but to respond.”

India Seeks Support from Global Community

He explained that India wants global support after the attack. He stated that India’s reaction was measured but serious. “Do not take our patience for granted,” Tharoor said while warning Pakistan.

Pakistan Must Not Cross the Line Again

Tharoor issued a direct warning to Pakistan. He said, “If they allowed this to happen again, or they actually instigate it and direct it as this one seemed to have been, they will be hit back.” He made it clear, “We will hit back very hard.”

Focus on Development, Not Conflict

He reminded the audience that India wants to focus on growth, not war. “This is not something we would have wanted to spend our time on,” Tharoor said. However, he made it clear that attacks won’t be tolerated. “We will not allow people to cross the border and kill our citizens with impunity,” he added.

Terror Will Have a Price

Tharoor warned that future terror strikes would lead to strong retaliation. He said clearly, “There will be a price to pay” if Pakistan continues such actions.

India Has Proof, But No One Asked

When asked whether any country requested evidence of Pakistan’s role, Tharoor said no. However, he added that India has “convincing evidence” of Pakistan’s involvement.

Three Observations on Pakistan’s Role

Tharoor shared three points to support his claim.

First, he said, “Pakistan denies involvement until they're actually caught with red hands.” He cited the Mumbai attacks and Osama bin Laden’s safe house as examples.

Second, he noted that The Resistance Front claimed responsibility for the April 22 Pahalgam attack—not once but twice—before withdrawing it. He said, “The fact is credit claim was on record and the world has seen it.”

Third, he pointed out that after the first strikes, funeral photos surfaced online. They showed “Pakistani generals and police officers” at the funerals of Jaish-e-Mohammad and Lashkar-e-Taiba members.

India Doesn’t React Without Reason

Tharoor made it clear that India doesn’t act without a strong reason. He said, “The government counted 24 terrorist attacks in the last year emanating from Pakistan, but none of them required this kind of response.”