Full Speech: Shashi Tharoor Jolts USA Amid Trump's India-Pakistan Claims; Explains Pahalgam, Sindoor

Summary

In this speech, the speaker discusses the global threat of terrorism, drawing on the personal experience of India’s ongoing struggle with terror. Highlighting India's response to attacks, particularly in Kashmir, the speaker emphasizes solidarity and resilience amidst violence. The narrative reveals India's diplomatic efforts, counterterrorism strikes, and the challenge of addressing Pakistan's denial of its involvement. The speaker conveys the urgency of defending against terrorism while seeking peaceful development and cooperation. The speech underlines India's determination to protect its citizens and maintain a stance of self-defense without provoking broader conflict.

Takeaways

• 😀 The speaker expresses gratitude for the large turnout on a Saturday night of Memorial Day weekend, highlighting the importance of global solidarity in combating terrorism.
• 😀 The speaker and his colleagues visited the September 11 memorial, paying respects and emphasizing the shared nature of global terror threats, including the Indian victims of the attack.
• 😀 India has faced numerous terrorist attacks, far exceeding those of the US, and the speaker calls for unified action against terrorism on a global scale.
• 😀 India has focused on being the world's fastest growing free-market democracy, concentrating on technological growth and pulling people out of poverty, but faces challenges from malicious actors in the neighborhood.
• 😀 Kashmir's recent prosperity and peace, especially in tourism, were disrupted by targeted terrorist attacks, with the intent to provoke division and backlash in India.
• 😀 The terrorist attack in Kashmir involved religiously motivated killings and was condemned by both HindVideo Script Summaryus and Muslims in India, showing national unity in the face of terror.
• 😀 The perpetrators of the attack were identified as part of Pakistan-based terror groups, further underlining the long-standing issue of cross-border terrorism.
• 😀 India took swift, precise, and calibrated military action in response to the terror attacks, targeting specific terrorist camps in Pakistan while avoiding civilian casualties.
• 😀 Pakistan responded to India's retaliation with indiscriminate artillery shelling, causing civilian casualties, but ultimately de-escalated after India issued a clear message that further aggression would not be tolerated.
• 😀 India has consistently faced denial from Pakistan regarding terrorism and failed cooperation in investigations, particularly after the 2008 Mumbai attacks and the 2015 airbase attack.
• 😀 India's military actions, including surgical strikes and air force attacks on terror camps in Pakistan, send a clear message that terrorism will not be tolerated and that there are consequences for harboring terror groups.

Q & A

What was the purpose of the speaker's visit to the September 11 memorial?

The speaker visited the September 11 memorial to pay tribute to the victims and convey a strong message of solidarity. It was also meant to highlight the shared problem of terrorism, as India has experienced a much larger number of terrorist attacks.

How does India view the ongoing issues with Pakistan, especially concerning Kashmir?

India views the situation with Pakistan as a challenge to its development narrative, especially in Kashmir, where progress and prosperity have been seen. The speaker stresses that terrorism and malign influences from certain neighbors have been attempts to derail this progress.

What was the significance of the attack in Kashmir described in the script?

The attack in Kashmir was particularly brutal, with terrorists targeting people based on their religion, aiming to provoke a backlash. However, despite the intent to create division, the response in India and Kashmir was one of unity and solidarity, with people from various backgrounds rejecting the violence.

What role did the resistance front play in the terror attack?

The resistance front, which is linked to the banned Lashkar-e-Taiba terror group, claimed responsibility for the attack. Despite Pakistan's denial, India directly pointed to the group's involvement and its Pakistani roots.

How did the international community react to the attack and Pakistan's actions?

The international community condemned the attack, but Pakistan, with China's help, managed to remove references to the resistance front from a UN resolution. This further emphasized the lack of accountability from Pakistan regarding cross-border terrorism.

What military actions did India take in response to the attack?

India conducted calibrated strikes on nine terrorist bases and launchpads across the border, sending a clear message that it would not tolerate terrorism. The strikes were precise and targeted, avoiding civilian casualties.

What was the outcome of the military conflict described in the script?

After an escalation of military actions, including shelling and drone attacks from Pakistan, India responded by targeting military sites. After an 88-hour conflict, Pakistan agreed to de-escalate, signaling that India had sent a clear message regarding its stance on terrorism.

How did India’s response to Pakistan's denial and continued attacks evolve over time?

India’s response evolved from diplomatic attempts and joint investigations to military action. After repeated attacks, including the 2015 Pathankot and 2019 Pulwama attacks, India increasingly took direct military action, including surgical strikes across the border.

What does the speaker mean by 'a new normal' in India’s stance towards Pakistan?

The 'new normal' refers to India’s determination to not allow Pakistan to continue supporting terrorism with impunity. India has made it clear that there will be a cost for such actions and that it will respond decisively to terrorism.

Why does the speaker emphasize that India does not seek war with Pakistan?

The speaker emphasizes that India does not seek war with Pakistan but wants to focus on economic growth and development. However, India has made it clear that it will take action against terrorism, and if Pakistan continues its aggressive actions, there will be consequences.