Chidambaram backs ceasefire, warns against complacency

Senior Congress leader P. Chidambaram has endorsed the Indian government’s decision to reach a ceasefire understanding with Pakistan following cross-border hostilities, calling it a prudent step to avoid further escalation and loss of life. Praising Prime Minister Modi’s approach, Chidambaram described the May 7 ‘Operation Sindoor’ as a calibrated and targeted response aimed at dismantling terrorist infrastructure without striking civilian or military assets.

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He emphasized that the action targeting locations in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir was legitimate and measured. However, he warned that it would be naive to believe that the threat had been eliminated. The leadership of groups like TRF, Lashkar-e-Taiba, and Jaish-e-Mohammed remains intact, and Pakistan’s ISI continues to enable radicalization and recruitment.

Chidambaram acknowledged the inevitable costs of armed conflict, including civilian casualties, and called war “Pitiless.” He dismissed Pakistan’s claims of shooting down Indian aircraft as baseless, citing the Pakistani Defence Minister’s hesitant media appearance as lacking credibility.

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor echoed support for the ceasefire, stating that India had delivered its message and had no interest in prolonged conflict. Despite the ceasefire, Pakistan resumed hostilities shortly after, prompting heightened vigilance from Indian forces.

While appreciating the government’s communication strategy, including involving women officers in briefings, Chidambaram criticized PM Modi for not visiting Kashmir or attending key all-party meetings, drawing comparisons to his silence on the Manipur crisis.