Extending military conflict with Pakistan is not the biggest priority for India today: Shashi Tharoor

Member of Congress Shashi Tharoor. File | Image source: ANI

Member of Congress, Shashi Tharoor, welcomed the understanding between India and Pakistan to cease hostilities, said India’s 1971 war with Pakistan was ultimately citing the liberation of Bangladesh, and today was completely different, adding that prolonging military conflict with neighboring countries was not India’s biggest priority.

“1971 was a great achievement. Indira Gandhi rewrote the map of the subcontinent, but the circumstances were different. Bangladesh was fighting a moral cause, and liberating Bangladesh was a clear objective. Just keeping on firing shells at Pakistan is not a clear objective,” Mr. Tharoor said when asked about some social media buzz comparing Indira Gandhi’s action as the PM to PM Narendra Modi’s stance on The latest military escalation after the operation.

He said: “Bangladesh is fighting a moral cause, which is actually bringing people into freedom and liberation. It’s a completely different story. It’s a different story. We end up with longer, protracted conflicts and many lives on both sides. Is this the biggest priority for India today? Isn’t it?” he said.

Meanwhile, Congress leader Pawan Khera posted an image of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi on X, captioning it: “India misses Indira”.

The 1971 India-Pakistan War led to the creation of Bangladesh, a major event during Indira Gandhi’s presidency. India provided important support for the independence movement in East Pakistan (later Bangladesh), and the war began after Pakistan launched air strikes at Indian Air Force Base. Indira Gandhi’s leadership played a role in India’s victory and the birth of Bangladesh.

Foreign Minister Vikram Misri confirmed in a critical step towards relegation that the Director-General of Pakistan’s Military Operations contacted his Indian counterparts while both sides agreed to cease all military operations – from 1700 hours on land, sea and air, effective at sea and air. However, Pakistan violated understanding by indulging in cross-border shooting, and Indian armed forces were instructed to respond strongly to the situation.