Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, heading a parliamentary team to the United States for a diplomatic visit meant to resoundingly endorse India's resolute objection to terrorism, initiated a scathing attack on the nation's historical tradition of taking refuge in giving shelter to terrorism.
Directly targeting Pakistan's team led by former foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto, Tharoor quoted Hillary Clinton's famous statement: "How can you breed vipers in your backyard and expect them to bite only your neighbours?"
This Washington diplomatic face-off comes after Operation Sindoor and the recent Pahalgam terror attack. While seven missions have been sent by India to 33 nations, Pakistan's smaller diplomatic outreach is restricted to just five key cities — Washington, New York, Brussels, London, and Moscow.
Tharoor's outreach is undertaking a massive outreach in Washington in the form of events in the National Press Club, diaspora media meetings, and reception by Indian ambassador. "The message has to be disseminated as far and wide as possible — through media, diaspora, and direct government outreach," he stressed.
"Surely I do know that Bilawal Bhutto's mother was assassinated and one empathizes with the young man for his mother's murder at the hands of terrorism," Tharoor admitted.
Talking on Pakistan's diplomatic crusade, he said, "They can bring their stories. But anyone who has watched this story in addition to official headlines will have absolutely no question as to what the Pakistani denials are worth — and that is not very much."
Pakistan's quest is seeking world mediation and restoration of the Indus Waters Treaty, which was suspended by India on April 23 in retaliation for the Pahalgam attack that left 26 dead.
In reference to India suspending the treaty, Tharoor earlier stated in Colombia, "The time for acting on the basis of goodwill unilaterally is frankly no longer with us."
In spite of India's assertive stance, Tharoor highlighted the measured approach of the country and said, "We sympathise with victims of terror wherever they may be. I recall Parliament once passed a resolution condemning a terrorist attack on 40 schoolchildren in Pakistan. But it's extremely difficult to sympathise with the Pakistani authorities who have unfortunately generated this phenomenon."
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