Senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor declared that India will not initiate efforts to normalize relations with Pakistan, citing a history of betrayals, during the launch of the book Whither India-Pakistan Relations Today? on Tuesday. He urged Islamabad to prove its sincerity by dismantling terror networks operating from its soil.

Speaking at the event, the Thiruvananthapuram MP highlighted India’s past attempts at peace—from Nehru’s 1950 pact with Liaqat Ali Khan to Modi’s 2015 Lahore visit—all met with hostility. “The onus is on Pakistan to show sincerity by shutting down terror camps,” Tharoor said, referencing a UN list of 52 terror-related entities in Pakistan. He insisted that India would respond positively only after concrete action.

Tharoor recalled the 2008 Mumbai attacks, noting India provided “overwhelming evidence” of Pakistani involvement, yet no masterminds faced prosecution. He praised India’s restraint post-attacks but said repeated provocations led to the 2016 surgical strikes and Operation Sindoor. Citing his 2012 book Pax Indica, Tharoor had warned that another major attack with Pakistani complicity would end India’s restraint, a prediction borne out by subsequent events.

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“No democratic government could ignore assaults on its civilians,” he said, emphasizing that peace on the borders is vital for India’s interests. Tharoor pointed to historical reconciliations, like France and Germany post-World War II, as models for adversaries becoming partners, but stressed Pakistan must act first.

The discussion, moderated by former ambassador Surendra Kumar, included former foreign secretary Kanwal Sibal, ex-ambassador to Pakistan T C A Raghavan, former Army chief General Deepak Kapoor, and academician Amitabh Mattoo, who echoed concerns about Pakistan’s role in fostering peace.

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