Chidambaram reveals global pressure halted 26/11 retaliation

Former Union Home Minister P Chidambaram has stirred controversy by stating that the UPA government refrained from retaliating against Pakistan after the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks due to significant international pressure. In a recent interview, he disclosed that while he considered military action, the government ultimately decided against it, influenced by the Ministry of External Affairs and global leaders urging restraint.

Chidambaram, who took office shortly after the attacks, explained, "The whole world descended upon Delhi to tell us 'don't start a war.'" He recalled a visit from then US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, who advised against a military response. "Without disclosing any official secret, it did cross my mind that we should do some act of retribution," he admitted.

The former minister noted that discussions about possible retaliation took place with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and other key officials. He stated, "The Prime Minister had discussed this even when the attack was going on... the conclusion was, largely influenced by the Ministry of External Affairs, that we should not physically react to the situation."

The 26/11 attacks, carried out by ten terrorists from the Pakistan-based group Lashkar-e-Taiba, resulted in the deaths of 175 people and injuries to over 300. Chidambaram's remarks have drawn sharp criticism from BJP leaders, who labelled his admission as "too little, too late." Union Minister Pralhad Joshi remarked that the country was already aware of the mishandling of the situation due to foreign pressure.

BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawala questioned whether senior Congress leaders, including Sonia Gandhi, influenced the decision against military action, suggesting that the UPA government acted under external pressure. He accused the Congress of giving Pakistan a "clean chit" regarding the attacks and criticized their approach towards military actions against Islamabad.

Chidambaram's comments have reignited debates about India's response to terrorism and the influence of international relations on national security decisions.