“US Said ‘Don’t Start a War'”: Chidambaram’s 26/11 Revelation Sparks BJP Attack

"US Said 'Don't Start a War'": Chidambaram's 26/11 Revelation Sparks BJP Attack

Ex-Home Minister admits global pressure, including from US, stopped India from retaliating post-Mumbai attacks; BJP calls it proof of UPA weakness

Chidambaram Reveals Why India Didn’t Retaliate After 26/11

Former Home Minister P. Chidambaram has admitted that India considered military retaliation against Pakistan following the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, but decided against it due to pressure from the international community, especially the United States.

“The whole world descended on Delhi to tell us, ‘Don’t start a war,’” Chidambaram said in an interview with a Hindi news channel on Monday.

He specifically cited a meeting with former US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, who urged caution just days after the deadly attacks, which claimed 175 lives and were orchestrated by Pakistan-based terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba.

Key Quotes from Chidambaram:

  • “An act of retribution did cross my mind.”
  • “The PM [Manmohan Singh] discussed retaliation even as the attack was ongoing.”
  • “The final decision, influenced by the Ministry of External Affairs and Indian Foreign Service, was not to physically react.”

BJP Pounces: ‘Too Little, Too Late’

The BJP wasted no time responding to Chidambaram’s statement.

📲 Union Minister Pralhad Joshi posted a clip from the interview on X, saying:

“After 17 years, Chidambaram admits what the nation already knew – 26/11 was mishandled due to foreign pressure. Too little, too late.”

Photo Credit: Posted on X by @JoshiPralhad
Photo Credit: Posted on X by @JoshiPralhad

🗣️ BJP’s Shehzad Poonawalla added:

“Why was the UPA taking orders from Sonia Gandhi? Why did she prevail over the Home Minister?”

He also questioned other Pakistan-related policy decisions made during the Congress-led UPA government.

Photo Credit: Posted on X by @Shehzad_Ind

Context: US, Ceasefire Claims, and Operation Sindoor

The controversy also rekindles the ongoing debate about foreign influence in India’s security decisions — especially in light of Operation Sindoor (May 2025), India’s response to the Pahalgam terror attack.

While the BJP maintains that the May 10 ceasefire was a result of direct talks between Indian and Pakistani military leadership, former US President Donald Trump has repeatedly claimed that he intervened to end the fighting.

Trump: “I told them to stop fighting — and they did.”

What Was Operation Sindoor?

  • India’s retaliatory military action after the April 2025 Pahalgam attack.
  • Involved precision airstrikes on nine terror camps in Pakistan and PoK.
  • Pakistan responded with missile and drone attacks, leading to nearly 100 hours of intense conflict.
  • Marked the first Indo-Pak military clash since the 1971 war.