In a moment that stood out during India's diplomatic outreach following the Pahalgam terror attack, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor took questions at a press event in New York — one of them coming unexpectedly from his son, journalist Ishan Tharoor. The exchange took place at the Council of Foreign Relations during India's all-party global campaign, Operation Sindoor, aimed at highlighting the April 22 attack and India’s response.
Ishan Tharoor, a foreign affairs columnist at The Washington Post, introduced himself formally. “Definitely asking a question in a personal capacity. And mostly to say hi before you go off to your next engagement,” he said, prompting laughter in the room.
“Have any of your government interlocutors asked you to show evidence of Pakistan's culpability in the initial attacks?” he asked.
Shashi Tharoor replied, “Well, I’m very glad you raised this, Ishan. I didn’t plant it, I promise you. This guy does this to his dad.”
He continued, “Very simply, no one had any doubt and we were not asked for evidence. But the media have asked in two or three places. Let me say very clearly that India would not have done this without convincing evidence.”
“There were three particular reasons I want to draw your attention to all of you. The first is that we’ve had a 37-year pattern of repeated terror attacks from Pakistan, accompanied by repeated denials,” he said.
He referred to the 2011 killing of Osama Bin Laden in Abbottabad, Pakistan. “Americans haven’t forgotten that Pakistan didn’t know, allegedly, where Osama bin Laden was until he was found in a Pakistani safe house right next to an army camp in a cantonment city. That’s Pakistan.”
On Pakistan’s response to previous incidents, he added, “Mumbai attacks – they denied having anything to do with it... So we know what Pakistan’s all about. They will dispatch terrorists, they will deny they did so until they’re actually caught with red hands…”
The exchange between father and son added a personal touch to the ongoing diplomatic mission, even as the senior Tharoor maintained focus on the seriousness of the campaign.
A surprise in the room
As Shashi Tharoor addressed the media, he paused when a familiar face stood up to ask a question. “You have to stand up. That shouldn’t be allowed. This is my son,” said Tharoor, smiling.Ishan Tharoor, a foreign affairs columnist at The Washington Post, introduced himself formally. “Definitely asking a question in a personal capacity. And mostly to say hi before you go off to your next engagement,” he said, prompting laughter in the room.
Ishan’s question: Was Pakistan's role questioned?
The younger Tharoor asked his father whether any Western officials had asked for proof of Pakistan’s involvement in the Pahalgam terror attack.“Have any of your government interlocutors asked you to show evidence of Pakistan's culpability in the initial attacks?” he asked.
Shashi Tharoor replied, “Well, I’m very glad you raised this, Ishan. I didn’t plant it, I promise you. This guy does this to his dad.”
He continued, “Very simply, no one had any doubt and we were not asked for evidence. But the media have asked in two or three places. Let me say very clearly that India would not have done this without convincing evidence.”
Tharoor reiterates Pakistan’s history
Tharoor explained to the audience that India’s diplomatic messaging was backed by past experience and a clear pattern of events.“There were three particular reasons I want to draw your attention to all of you. The first is that we’ve had a 37-year pattern of repeated terror attacks from Pakistan, accompanied by repeated denials,” he said.
He referred to the 2011 killing of Osama Bin Laden in Abbottabad, Pakistan. “Americans haven’t forgotten that Pakistan didn’t know, allegedly, where Osama bin Laden was until he was found in a Pakistani safe house right next to an army camp in a cantonment city. That’s Pakistan.”
On Pakistan’s response to previous incidents, he added, “Mumbai attacks – they denied having anything to do with it... So we know what Pakistan’s all about. They will dispatch terrorists, they will deny they did so until they’re actually caught with red hands…”
Operation Sindoor continues
Shashi Tharoor is leading the all-party team under Operation Sindoor, a diplomatic initiative aimed at countering terrorism and disinformation. The delegation is visiting multiple global capitals to present India’s stance on the Pahalgam attack, which killed several security personnel in Jammu and Kashmir.The exchange between father and son added a personal touch to the ongoing diplomatic mission, even as the senior Tharoor maintained focus on the seriousness of the campaign.
