India-Pakistan Relations at a Crossroads: Tharoor's Urgent Call for Action

Senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor emphasized India's hesitance to initiate peace with Pakistan due to past betrayals. Speaking at a book launch, Tharoor urged Pakistan to dismantle terror networks, citing historical outreach attempts by Indian leaders. He stressed the importance of border tranquillity for national interest, highlighting global reconciliation examples.

Senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor has highlighted India's reluctance to be the first mover in restoring relations with Pakistan amidst historical betrayals. Tharoor made this assertion during the launch of 'Whither India-Pakistan Relations Today?', a book edited by former ambassador Surendra Kumar, urging Islamabad to dismantle existing terror infrastructures.

Tharoor pointed to previous significant outreach efforts by Indian leaders—Nehru's 1950 pact with Liaqat Ali Khan, Vajpayee's 1999 Lahore journey, and Modi's 2015 visit—as being undermined by Pakistani hostility. He argued that Pakistan must now demonstrate sincerity by action, including dismantling its terror networks, to pave the way for meaningful dialogue.

Recalling the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, Tharoor criticized the lack of Pakistani prosecutions despite clear evidence provided by India. He warned that continued inaction would lead to responses like the surgical strikes witnessed in 2016. Tharoor also called for peace at the borders as essential to national interests, drawing parallels with international reconciliations post-conflict.

(With inputs from agencies.)