Diplomacy Amid Fire
As the dust begins to settle following the deadly Pahalgam terror attack and India’s swift response through Operation Sindoor, global attention has shifted to the sudden but fragile ceasefire agreement between India and Pakistan. While political voices across the spectrum responded in expected tones, one figure stood out for his clarity and balance: senior Congress MP and former diplomat Shashi Tharoor. While he criticized the diplomatic overreach in U.S. President Donald Trump’s claim of “mediating” peace, Tharoor notably struck a rare bipartisan tone—acknowledging the firm and strategic leadership shown by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the crisis.
The Spark: Pahalgam and the Path to Operation Sindoor
The chain of events began with a brutal terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, where 26 civilians lost their lives in April. The incident triggered a nationwide outcry and forced India into action. In response, India launched Operation Sindoor—a series of precision strikes targeting terror infrastructure and militant camps in Pakistan and PoK. The strikes not only inflicted heavy losses on militant strongholds but also drew an aggressive counter from Pakistan, including missile and drone attacks.
This brief but intense escalation brought both nuclear-armed neighbors dangerously close to war. Under such volatile conditions, the international community, including the United States, began informal outreach to encourage restraint.
Trump’s Claim: “Ceasefire Mediated by the USA”
U.S. President Donald Trump quickly took to Truth Social, declaring that a full ceasefire had been “mediated by the United States.” He congratulated both India and Pakistan for what he termed a “historic and heroic decision” and even offered to assist in resolving the Kashmir issue—an offer India has historically and categorically rejected.
“After a long night of talks mediated by the United States, I am pleased to announce that India and Pakistan have agreed to a full and immediate ceasefire,” Trump posted.
Tharoor Responds: “Let Me Be Blunt About It”
Tharoor, a former UN diplomat and current MP from Thiruvananthapuram, took a nuanced stance. In an interview with NDTV, he rejected Trump’s claim of mediation outright.
“Let me be blunt about it… Jaishankar spoke to Secretary Rubio. Then he (Rubio) spoke with the Foreign Minister of Pakistan. These kinds of contacts were going on throughout the three or four days of conflict. But that doesn’t mean that India was requesting mediation,” Tharoor said.
He argued that such diplomacy does not qualify as mediation but rather as a “constructive role” that any major power might play during a crisis. He emphasized that multiple nations, including the UK, UAE, and France, were also engaged in informal dialogues—not just the U.S.
A Rare Praise for Modi’s Leadership
Perhaps what stood out the most in Tharoor’s statements was his recognition of Prime Minister Modi’s decisiveness. While his party has often been critical of the government’s foreign and security policies, Tharoor acknowledged that India’s refusal to accept any foreign mediation was not only consistent but commendable.
“India is perfectly capable of handling such conflicts on its own. We neither sought mediation nor needed it. The Prime Minister made that very clear,” Tharoor remarked.
This praise stands in stark contrast to Rahul Gandhi’s earlier comments, and positions Tharoor as one of the few leaders willing to cross partisan lines to back the national interest.
Ceasefire Declared: Calm After the Storm
The ceasefire, announced on May 10, brought a much-needed pause to hostilities. Though Pakistan briefly violated the agreement in the early hours following the announcement, Indian forces responded with a strong warning. Since then, communication hotlines have remained active, and no major escalations have been reported.
Diplomacy Must Serve Strategy, Not Ego
The India-Pakistan ceasefire stands as a testament to tactical strength backed by diplomatic prudence. While global players like the United States may attempt to project influence, it is India’s clear-eyed policy and strong leadership that ensured both retaliation and restraint in equal measure.
Shashi Tharoor’s remarks serve as a crucial reminder: in moments of national crisis, statesmanship must rise above party lines. And for peace to last, it must be rooted in sovereignty, strength, and self-respect—not external validation or misplaced credit.
(With agency inputs)
