New Delhi: Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has issued a firm warning to Pakistan, stating that cross-border terrorism will now be met with decisive retaliation. Speaking in New York during a visit to the United States as part of a parliamentary delegation, Tharoor referred to India’s recent precision strikes in response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, emphasizing that those who believe they can kill Indian citizens with impunity will now face serious consequences.
“There Will Be a Price to Pay”
Addressing prominent Indian-American community members, media, and think tanks at an event hosted by the Consulate General of India, Tharoor asserted:
“No one sitting in Pakistan is going to be allowed to believe that they can just walk across the border and kill our citizens with impunity. There will be a price to pay — and that price has been going up systematically.”
He emphasized that India did not initiate aggression, but responded to terror provocations with restraint and precision, citing “Operation Sindoor,” which targeted terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. The operation followed the deadly Pahalgam attack, in which 26 civilians, including one Nepalese national, were killed. The Resistance Front initially claimed responsibility for the attack before retracting.
A Shift in Strategy: From Dossiers to Action
Tharoor reflected on India’s previous diplomatic efforts, including submitting evidence to international bodies and engaging in global forums.
“We have tried everything — diplomacy, dossiers, appeals to sanctions committees. But Pakistan remains in denial. There has been no conviction, no prosecution of terrorists, no dismantling of terror camps.”
He stated that this pattern of inaction has forced India to adopt a tougher stance.
“This is it. You do this, you’re going to get this back.”
India’s Focus on Peace and Progress
Despite the strong message, Tharoor reiterated India’s desire for peace and development.
“We are not interested in warfare with Pakistan. We want to focus on being the world’s fastest-growing free market democracy, investing in technology, and lifting people out of poverty.”
He added that while India remains a status quo power, Pakistan continues to act as a revisionist one, seeking to claim Indian territory through violence and terrorism.
A Delegation Representing India’s Voice Abroad
Tharoor is currently leading a multi-party Indian parliamentary delegation visiting Guyana, Panama, Colombia, Brazil, and the United States. The group includes MPs Sarfaraz Ahmad (JMM), Ganti Harish Madhur Balayogi (TDP), Shashank Mani Tripathi (BJP), Bhubaneswar Kalita (BJP), Milind Deora (Shiv Sena), Tejasvi Surya (BJP), and India’s former Ambassador to the US, Taranjit Sandhu.
Concluding his remarks, Tharoor said India’s message to the global community is clear:
“We have a right to self-defence. We’ve exercised that right responsibly, and we’ll continue to do so. There’s now a new bottom line.”
