Tharoor Credits India’s Military Action for Recent Peace Efforts with Pakistan
On August 20, 2025, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor highlighted the significance of India’s military operations in fostering peace talks with Pakistan. He emphasized that it was not U.S. President Donald Trump, but rather India’s strategic strikes that prompted Pakistan to seek a ceasefire.
Speaking at the launch of his book, “Whither India-Pakistan Relations Today? Can They Ever Be Good Neighbours?”, Tharoor described Operation Sindoor, a military initiative aimed at dismantling terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. He asserted that this operation conveyed a strong message: India will respond decisively to any acts of terrorism.
Tharoor stressed that the success of India’s operations on May 9-10, along with its defensive measures against Pakistan’s missile response, played a crucial role in encouraging Pakistan’s military leadership to reach out for peace discussions. He noted that the Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) in Pakistan initiated the call for a truce following these events.
While President Trump has repeatedly stated that his mediation was key to the ceasefire agreement, New Delhi has firmly denied these claims, asserting that the discussions were conducted directly between the two nations. The Congress party has frequently challenged the government’s position on this issue. In a recent parliamentary session, Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to directly address Trump’s assertions, expressing frustration over the U.S. President’s remarks.
As discussions surrounding India and Pakistan’s relations continue, Tharoor’s remarks bring attention to the ongoing debates about the role of external influences in regional conflicts.
