Senior Congress leader P Chidambaram has acknowledged that the UPA government decided against military retaliation on Pakistan after the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, citing intense international pressure, particularly from the United States.

Chidambaram, who took charge as Union home minister days after the attack, said “retribution crossed my mind” but the decision was shaped by the Ministry of External Affairs and senior diplomats.

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International pressure after 26/11

Speaking to a Hindi news channel, he recalled, "The whole world descended on Delhi to tell us not to start a war."

He revealed that then US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice flew to Delhi within days of the attack to urge India to exercise restraint.

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