Tharoor: India Awaits Pakistan’s Move to Normalize Ties

Swift Summary

• Senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor stated that India no longer has the appetite to initiate normalising ties with Pakistan due to repeated betrayals, urging Islamabad to dismantle terror networks operating from its soil.
• He spoke at the launch of “Whither india-Pakistan Relations Today?”, an anthology edited by former Ambassador Surendra Kumar.
• Tharoor highlighted several past Indian outreach efforts – nehru-Liaqat pact (1950), Vajpayee’s lahore bus journey (1999), and Modi’s Lahore visit (2015) – that were thwarted by hostility from Pakistan.
• He urged Pakistan to take sincere steps, such as shutting down terror camps, prosecuting masterminds linked to attacks like 2008 Mumbai and demonstrating serious intent for any further progress in bilateral relations.
• Citing examples like post-WWII reconciliation between France and Germany, Tharoor emphasized peace at borders as vital for India’s national interest but stressed a strong response when provocations occur.

Indian Opinion Analysis

Tharoor’s remarks underscore a long-standing issue in Indo-Pak relations: repeated setbacks despite diplomatic overtures. His insistence on concrete actions from Pakistan against terror infrastructure aligns with India’s position since major incidents like the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks. Historical data backs his claim about unreciprocated outreach efforts leading only to mistrust over decades.

The mention of surgical strikes post-provocations indicates how India’s stance has evolved toward asserting its sovereignty more aggressively when faced with cross-border terrorism. However, alongside suggesting robust countermeasures against provocations, his analogy comparing possible reconciliation models reflects optimism for eventual peace if tangible steps are taken by Islamabad first.

While skepticism about diplomatic breakthroughs persists under current circumstances, focusing on dismantling terrorist camps responsibly can create pathways for dialogue in the future-beneficial not only strategically but also economically for both nations.

Read more: The Hindu