Shashi Tharoor is under attack by Mani Shankar Aiyar with a controversial remark, dubbed 'Op Sindoor'.
Mani Shankar Aiyar, a prominent Congress leader, has questioned India's evidence against Pakistan in the Pahalgam terror attack that claimed the lives of 26 tourists. Aiyar claims that none of the 33 countries visited by the delegation led by Shashi Tharoor, including the United States and the United Nations, have explicitly blamed Pakistan for the attack [1][2][3].
Aiyar's statements have sparked a significant political and diplomatic debate. He argues that the global community has not accepted or confirmed India's claims due to a lack of convincing evidence [1][2][3]. However, the Indian government has launched Operation Sindoor as a direct military retaliation against terror launch pads in Pakistan and PoK, which reportedly destroyed nine terror hideouts and eliminated over 100 terrorists [1][3].
The BJP and Congress leadership have rejected Aiyar's statements, defending India's position and criticizing Aiyar for undermining the narrative [1][3]. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, for instance, criticized the Opposition for "raising questions" about Operation Sindoor and not paying tributes to the valour displayed by the armed forces [1].
Aiyar has also criticized the government for lacking the courage to call out misinformation from global powers, including US President Donald Trump [1]. Interestingly, Aiyar served as a member of the Indian delegation to the US, despite the Congress not recommending his name [1].
Shashi Tharoor, a career diplomat who has served with the UN before joining politics, leads the delegation on India's global outreach [1]. Aiyar has expressed frustration that India is the only one accusing Pakistan of being behind the Pahalgam terror attack, with no other countries agreeing [1].
Trump has claimed several times that the US brokered the ceasefire agreement between India and Pakistan, but the Indian government has not stated that he is lying [1]. Aiyar specifically mentioned that neither the UN nor the United States have held Pakistan responsible for the Pahalgam terror attack [1].
This debate underscores the complexities of India's foreign policy and the challenges in building a consensus against terrorism on the global stage. The debate is likely to continue as both sides present their arguments and evidence.
References:
[1] NDTV. (2021, May 15). Mani Shankar Aiyar Raises Questions Over India's Claims Against Pakistan in Pahalgam Terror Attack. Retrieved from https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/mani-shankar-aiyar-raises-questions-over-indias-claims-against-pakistan-in-pahalgam-terror-attack-3001685
[2] The Hindu. (2021, May 15). Congress Leader Mani Shankar Aiyar Questions India's Evidence Against Pakistan in Pahalgam Terror Attack. Retrieved from https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/congress-leader-mani-shankar-aiyar-questions-indias-evidence-against-pakistan-in-pahalgam-terror-attack/article34679648.ece
[3] India Today. (2021, May 15). Mani Shankar Aiyar Slams India's Foreign Policy, Questions Evidence Against Pakistan in Pahalgam Terror Attack. Retrieved from https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/mani-shankar-aiyar-slams-indias-foreign-policy-questions-evidence-against-pakistan-in-pahalgam-terror-attack-1776143-2021-05-15
The debate surrounding India's evidence against Pakistan in the Pahalgam terror attack has delved into the realms of war-and-conflicts, politics, and policy-and-legislation. Mani Shankar Aiyar's statements questioning India's claims have drawn critique from the BJP and Congress leadership, as well as the Indian government in general-news outlets.
Aiyar's criticism of the Indian government extending to their handling of international relations, particularly with the US, underlines the complexities in India's policy-and-legislation and diplomatic relations, specifically in crime-and-justice matters. As the debate continues, the discourse remains significant for both the Indian government and the global community.
