“If They Hit Us Again…” — Shashi Tharoor Warns Pakistan (Opt. Sindoor Isn’t Over Yet )
Nidhi | May 27, 2025, 23:31 IST
In a powerful statement, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor warned Pakistan of severe consequences if provoked again. Referring to India’s focused retaliation under Operation Sindoor following the Pahalgam terror attack, Tharoor emphasized India’s commitment to peace—but peace backed by strength. Speaking at a diplomatic forum in Guyana, he made it clear that India’s military actions were retaliatory, not escalatory. Tharoor also highlighted India’s consistent diplomatic messaging and backchannel communications that helped avoid full-scale war. His message: India won’t start a war, but it will end one.
In the aftermath of Operation Sindoor, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor delivered a pointed message to Pakistan: India doesn’t seek war, but will not hesitate to respond harder if provoked again.
Speaking at a diplomatic forum in Guyana, Tharoor underlined that India’s recent military action — which destroyed nine terror installations in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir — was not an escalation, but a measured retaliation to the brutal terror attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir.
Tharoor was emphatic:
“We had no desire to convey that it was the opening salvo in a protracted war.”
The strikes, he said, were driven by deterrence, not aggression — a military response born of necessity, not ambition. He reiterated that India’s position was clearly communicated to international partners:
“We are not interested in war. But if provoked, we will not remain passive.”
This message, quietly delivered through diplomatic backchannels during and after the operation, reflects India’s maturing defense strategy — retaliate without overextending.
Launched on May 7, Operation Sindoor targeted terror networks — primarily Jaish-e-Mohammed, Lashkar-e-Taiba, and Hizbul Mujahideen — operating from across the LoC. These were not random strikes. They were focused, strategic and executed with surgical precision to eliminate terrorist infrastructure responsible for attacks like Pahalgam.
India used precision munitions and real-time intelligence, ensuring zero civilian casualties and minimizing collateral damage. Notably, the strikes were coordinated between the Indian Air Force and intelligence agencies, signaling a high level of operational readiness and synergy.
“When governments called us to express concern, we conveyed exactly this message throughout, which is that we are not interested in war,” Tharoor noted.
Despite the air and ground strikes, Tharoor clarified that India maintained consistent diplomatic outreach, assuring global partners of its intent to avoid war. He said the actions were rooted in deterrence, not aggression.
“If Pakistan stops, we will have no reason to retaliate, and that is, in the end, what happened on the morning of the 10th of May, Indian time, they reached out to our Director General of Military Operations.”
This backchannel communication marked a turning point, indicating Islamabad’s interest in de-escalation.
While Pakistan initially denied the damage and attempted to escalate through rhetoric, on May 10, Islamabad reached out to India’s Director General of Military Operations (DGMO), signaling a desire to de-escalate.
This outreach, Tharoor pointed out, was proof that India’s message was understood: There would be consequences for terrorism.
Tharoor’s remarks reinforce India’s “peace through strength” doctrine — a concept borrowed from ancient Indian philosophy and echoed in modern global strategy. The idea is simple: you don’t provoke, but you also don’t tolerate provocation.
In the past, India's responses to cross-border terrorism were often confined to diplomacy or restrained action. But with strikes like Surgical Strikes (2016), Balakot (2019), and now Operation Sindoor, India has made it clear — terrorism from across the border will invite real consequences.
Tharoor also used the forum to reassure global partners — especially the U.S., European Union, and Latin American allies — that India remains deeply committed to peace, but not at the cost of national security.
“We are at peace today, and we want to remain at peace... but with strength, not fear,” he said.
This message comes ahead of a multi-nation diplomatic tour to Panama, Costa Rica, and Nicaragua, where Indian MPs, including Tharoor, are expected to reinforce India’s zero-tolerance stance on terrorism.
India’s security environment is becoming increasingly complex:
Tharoor closed with words that were neither theatrical nor vague:
“If they hit us again… they’re going to get it back worse.”
India has drawn a new line — not in sand, but in steel. It’s not just a warning to Pakistan, but a recalibration of India’s entire strategic posture: Peace, yes — but not without deterrence. Not without consequence.
Speaking at a diplomatic forum in Guyana, Tharoor underlined that India’s recent military action — which destroyed nine terror installations in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir — was not an escalation, but a measured retaliation to the brutal terror attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir.
“Each Strike Was Retaliatory, Not Escalatory”
All-party delegation led by Congress MP Shashi Tharoor arrives in Panama.
( Image credit : ANI )
“We had no desire to convey that it was the opening salvo in a protracted war.”
The strikes, he said, were driven by deterrence, not aggression — a military response born of necessity, not ambition. He reiterated that India’s position was clearly communicated to international partners:
“We are not interested in war. But if provoked, we will not remain passive.”
This message, quietly delivered through diplomatic backchannels during and after the operation, reflects India’s maturing defense strategy — retaliate without overextending.
Operation Sindoor?
India used precision munitions and real-time intelligence, ensuring zero civilian casualties and minimizing collateral damage. Notably, the strikes were coordinated between the Indian Air Force and intelligence agencies, signaling a high level of operational readiness and synergy.
Diplomatic Channels Remained Open
Srinagar A Day After India And Pakistan Agreed To Ceasefire.
( Image credit : Getty Editorial )
Despite the air and ground strikes, Tharoor clarified that India maintained consistent diplomatic outreach, assuring global partners of its intent to avoid war. He said the actions were rooted in deterrence, not aggression.
“If Pakistan stops, we will have no reason to retaliate, and that is, in the end, what happened on the morning of the 10th of May, Indian time, they reached out to our Director General of Military Operations.”
This backchannel communication marked a turning point, indicating Islamabad’s interest in de-escalation.
The Turning Point: Pakistan Quietly Reaches Out
India, Pakistan should do their best to avoid war_ Jim Rogers.
( Image credit : ANI )
This outreach, Tharoor pointed out, was proof that India’s message was understood: There would be consequences for terrorism.
India’s Evolving Doctrine: Peace Through Strength
Pak tried to hit Indian military targets last night, were neutralised_ Women officers tell the nation.
( Image credit : IANS )
In the past, India's responses to cross-border terrorism were often confined to diplomacy or restrained action. But with strikes like Surgical Strikes (2016), Balakot (2019), and now Operation Sindoor, India has made it clear — terrorism from across the border will invite real consequences.
A Message to the World
“We are at peace today, and we want to remain at peace... but with strength, not fear,” he said.
This message comes ahead of a multi-nation diplomatic tour to Panama, Costa Rica, and Nicaragua, where Indian MPs, including Tharoor, are expected to reinforce India’s zero-tolerance stance on terrorism.
Why This Matters Now
- China continues to expand air and military presence near Ladakh.
- Pakistan remains a fertile ground for proxy groups targeting India.
- The Line of Control (LoC) remains volatile, with frequent ceasefire violations.
Final Warning
“If they hit us again… they’re going to get it back worse.”
India has drawn a new line — not in sand, but in steel. It’s not just a warning to Pakistan, but a recalibration of India’s entire strategic posture: Peace, yes — but not without deterrence. Not without consequence.