Shashi Tharoor Highlights Manmohan Singh Government's Role in Exposing Pakistan Post-2008 Mumbai Attacks
New Delhi, May 26, 2025 — In a recent address, Congress leader Shashi Tharoor revisited the diplomatic maneuvers of the Manmohan Singh government following the 2008 Mumbai terrorist attacks, emphasizing their role in unmasking Pakistan's involvement in state-sponsored terrorism on the global stage. Tharoor's comments come amidst ongoing political discourse, challenging narratives that attribute such achievements solely to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
The 2008 Mumbai attacks, which resulted in the tragic loss of 166 lives, were a pivotal moment in India's fight against terrorism. Tharoor pointed out that the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government's response was marked by a robust diplomatic strategy that leveraged international support to expose Pakistan's complicity. He noted that Western intelligence agencies had recorded communications during the attacks, revealing the chilling directives from Pakistani handlers to the terrorists, thereby dismantling Pakistan's denials.
Tharoor's remarks also drew attention to historical instances where Pakistan's claims of ignorance regarding terrorist activities were proven false, such as the discovery of Osama bin Laden in a military-dominated area in Pakistan. This, he argued, underscored a pattern of Pakistan's role in harboring terrorists, a fact that the Manmohan Singh government effectively highlighted on global platforms.
The Congress leader's statements have reignited debates over the credit for India's counter-terrorism efforts, with many seeing it as a direct rebuttal to the BJP's claims. Social media and political circles are abuzz with discussions, with supporters of the Congress praising Tharoor's articulation of historical facts, while critics from the BJP accuse him of rewriting history.
As the political landscape continues to evolve, Tharoor's intervention serves as a reminder of the complex interplay between domestic politics and international diplomacy in addressing terrorism. The legacy of the 2008 Mumbai attacks and the subsequent responses remain a contentious issue, shaping the narrative of India's security policies and its relations with neighboring countries.
