Lagatar24 Desk
Mumbai: Former Home Minister and senior Congress leader P Chidambaram has strongly countered Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s remarks suggesting that the UPA government did not respond militarily to the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks due to “pressure from some country.” Without naming him, PM Modi had referred to a “senior Congress leader” during his speech, making the reference clear through Chidambaram’s recent interview on the subject.
PM Modi’s Remarks During Navi Mumbai Event
Speaking after inaugurating the Navi Mumbai International Airport, PM Modi said terrorists chose Mumbai because it is one of India’s most vibrant cities. He alleged that the Congress government sent “a message of weakness” after the 2008 attacks. He referred to an interview by a senior Congress leader, claiming that India’s forces were ready to strike Pakistan but were held back due to foreign pressure. Modi asked Congress to reveal who made the decision to stop the armed forces, accusing the party of weakening national security and emboldening terrorists.
Chidambaram’s Response And Clarification
Chidambaram took to X to refute the Prime Minister’s statement. “The statement has three parts, and each one of them is wrong, terribly wrong. It is disappointing to read that the Honourable Prime Minister of India imagined the words and attributed them to me,” he said. In his interview, Chidambaram had explained that the idea of retaliation was discussed with the then Prime Minister and key officials. However, the decision not to respond militarily was shaped by advice from the Ministry of External Affairs and the Indian Foreign Service, focusing on diplomatic measures amid intense global pressure to avoid escalation.
