Terror Has a Cost Now: Shashi Tharoor Lauds India's New Resolve Post-Operation Sindoor in Panama Address
New Delhi/Panama City — In a high-profile address in Panama City on Tuesday, senior Congress leader and former UN diplomat Shashi Tharoor asserted that terrorists targeting India have come to realise they will now "have to pay" for their actions, marking a significant change in India’s strategic response over recent years. Tharoor’s comments, made during a diplomatic outreach initiative led by India following Operation Sindoor, have reignited political debate back home, particularly within his own party.
As part of India's post-Sindoor diplomatic offensive, Tharoor is leading one of seven delegations aimed at taking New Delhi’s message to global capitals. His remarks, viewed by many as indirectly endorsing the Narendra Modi government’s security doctrine, underscore a shift in India's approach from victimhood to deterrence and retaliation.
“No Longer Just Pleading with the World”
Addressing the Indian diaspora and local officials in Panama, Tharoor reflected on India's decades-long battle with terrorism:
“We have suffered attack after attack for almost four decades. It is just not acceptable for us to continue to bear the pain, the grief, the wounds, the losses, and then merely go and tell the international community, ‘Look what is happening to us. Please help us.’”
He referred to the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, calling it one of the most well-documented cases of cross-border terrorism, where Ajmal Kasab — a Pakistani national — was captured alive.
“We had all the evidence... Kasab’s identity, his address in Pakistan, even the chilling voice of the Pakistani handler giving instructions. Yet, has a single person been prosecuted or convicted in Pakistan? The answer is no.”
Praising India's Tactical Response: From Uri to Balakot to Operation Sindoor
Tharoor pointed to a decisive transformation in India’s response to terror attacks, especially since 2016:
- Uri Surgical Strike (2016): India crossed the Line of Control (LoC) for the first time to dismantle terrorist launchpads in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
- Balakot Airstrikes (2019): After the Pulwama attack, Indian jets bombed terror infrastructure in Balakot, Pakistan, marking a major escalation by crossing the international border.
- Operation Sindoor (2025): Carried out on May 7, India conducted airstrikes on terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK) to avenge the Pahalgam terror attack that left 26 civilians dead.
“This time, we have not only gone beyond the LoC and international border — we’ve hit deep into the Punjabi heartland of Pakistan,” said Tharoor. “The colour of Sindoor — the vermilion that graces the foreheads of Indian women — now matches the blood of the attackers.”
Operation Sindoor: A National Message of Retaliation
India’s Operation Sindoor was launched after terrorists ambushed a bus carrying pilgrims in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. The brutal attack, in which 26 people died, triggered national outrage and prompted India’s multi-pronged counter-response.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his official remarks, stated:
“These terrorists wiped the sindoor off the foreheads of 26 women... India ensured that the blood of their killers would match that sacred colour.”
The strikes reportedly targeted nine terror installations, disrupting logistics, training and command centers of Pakistan-backed groups. Intelligence inputs suggest the operation has significantly impacted the operational capabilities of groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed.
Congress Rift Widens Over Tharoor’s Statements
Back home, Tharoor’s remarks have drawn sharp reactions from within the Congress party. Udit Raj, a former BJP leader and current Congress member, lashed out at Tharoor:
“Shashi Tharoor is the super spokesperson of the BJP. He’s doing Modi ji’s chamchagiri (flattery) more than BJP leaders.”
Raj accused Tharoor of undermining the role of previous governments and glorifying current administration efforts, despite being a Congress MP.
The Congress leadership, already in dissonance over Tharoor’s inclusion in the diplomatic outreach, has distanced itself. A party source told TheTrendingPeople.com on condition of anonymity:
“He was not one of the four MPs suggested by the party. The government chose him independently.”
Tharoor had earlier responded to the internal criticism, stating:
“The party leadership is entitled to its opinion about my abilities. I remain committed to the national interest.”
India’s New Strategic Messaging: Taking the Global Route
Tharoor's visit is part of India's larger strategy to shape international opinion post-Operation Sindoor. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has sent out seven parliamentary delegations to various parts of the world including Latin America, Africa, Europe, and the Gulf.
These visits aim to:
- Reinforce India’s stance on cross-border terrorism
- Garner diplomatic support on Pakistan’s continued inaction
- Counter anti-India narratives emerging in foreign policy circles
By choosing a seasoned orator like Tharoor, the Modi government appears to be projecting unity and bipartisanship, even as internal party dynamics remain tense.
Key Takeaways
- India’s counter-terror policy has visibly shifted from restraint to proactive deterrence post-2016.
- Operation Sindoor marks the most expansive Indian strike yet across Pakistan and PoK.
- Shashi Tharoor’s remarks, though aligned with India's national security messaging, have sparked political controversy.
- The Congress-BJP rivalry now encompasses debates over ownership of India’s military and foreign policy achievements.
- Global diplomatic outreach post-Sindoor shows India’s growing emphasis on narrative-building abroad.
Final Thoughts: A Changed India?
Tharoor’s Panama speech, while controversial, captures a fundamental shift in India’s security posture: one that no longer relies solely on international sympathy but asserts sovereignty through action. Whether this change brings long-term security and diplomatic gains remains to be seen, but India’s message to both terrorists and the world is increasingly clear — attacks will not go unanswered.
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