India News : In a stunning revelation, senior Congress leader and former Union Minister P. Chidambaram has admitted that the UPA government chose not to retaliate against Pakistan after the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, owing to pressure from the United States and other international powers.
Speaking in an interview, Chidambaram confessed that he was personally in favor of a retaliatory strike after the attacks, but the decision to not take military action was influenced by the Ministry of External Affairs and diplomatic interventions, particularly by the then US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.
“Condoleezza Rice came to Delhi and told us very clearly that India should not retaliate. I said this is a decision the government must take, but yes, I did feel we should have responded,” said Chidambaram.
The former minister revealed that the decision was made after intense deliberations with the Prime Minister and senior leadership, and though several military options were considered, the IFS officers and foreign ministry’s advice prevailed — urging restraint over action.
BJP Launches Scathing Attack
The BJP wasted no time in launching a political offensive against the Congress following the admission. Union Minister Pralhad Joshi said that the nation always suspected the UPA had mishandled the Mumbai terror attack under foreign pressure, and Chidambaram’s statement had now confirmed it.
“This confession shows the Congress was more concerned about global perception than India’s security. It’s a betrayal of the nation,” said Joshi.
A City Under Siege: 26/11 Recap
The Mumbai attacks of November 26, 2008, saw 10 Pakistani terrorists paralyze India’s financial capital for nearly 60 hours. Iconic landmarks such as the Taj Mahal Hotel, Oberoi Trident, Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, Leopold Café, and Nariman House came under deadly siege.
The horrific assault resulted in the death of 166 people, including several foreign nationals. Nine terrorists were neutralized by Indian security forces, while the lone survivor, Ajmal Kasab, was captured and later executed in 2012.
After the attacks, then Home Minister Shivraj Patil resigned, and P. Chidambaram was moved from the Finance Ministry to Home Affairs — a transition he admitted he was not thrilled about, having delivered five budgets and preparing for upcoming elections.
