Former Home Minister P Chidambaram, in an interview with ABP’s Megha Prasad, revealed that the UPA government chose not to retaliate against Pakistan after the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks because of heavy international pressure, particularly from the United States. He admitted that “retribution did cross his mind” but said the government ultimately ruled out military action.
The decision, he said, was largely influences by the MEA and IFS. This, as expected, has drawn sharp criticism from the BJP leaders, with Pralhad Joshi saying that it is “too little, too late”. Shehzad Poonawalla, too reacted to this, asking, “Who prevailed? Sonia Gandhi? Dr Manmohan Singh via SG?”
Before we take a look at more reactions, let us hear from the former Home Minister himself on the 26/11.
“Remember, the whole world was descending upon Delhi to tell us that don’t start a war,” Chidambaram began.
He added, “For example, Condoleezza Rice, who was a then Secretary of State, flew in two days or three days after I took over to meet me and the Prime Minister and to say, please don’t react. I said, this is a decision which the government will take, without disclosing any official secret.”
“It did cross my mind that we should do some act of retribution,” he expressed, before adding, “I did discuss it with the Prime Minister and other people who mattered. And apparently the Prime Minister had discussed this even when the attack was going on.”
“I don’t know. I can only surmise. And the conclusion was largely influenced by the MEA and the IFS that we should not physically react to the situation,” the Congress veteran further said.
#Breaking : The man who became the Home Minister of India three days after 26/11 attack, admits before me that 'He wanted to retaliate' against Pakistan back then and that he had discussed attacking Pakistan with the then Prime Minister ManMohan Singh. Mr Chidambaram goes on to… pic.twitter.com/Tqe44Ea9Sf
— Megha Prasad (@MeghaSPrasad) September 28, 2025
BJP’s reaction
Union Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution & New and Renewable Energy, Pralhad Joshi, while sharing the video from the interview, wrote, “After 17 years, Chidambaram, Former Home Minister admits what the nation knew — 26/11 was mishandled due to pressure from foreign powers.”
“Too little, too late,” he further added.
BJP National Spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla shares views
BJP National Spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla also shared his views on the “explosive revelation” by Chidambaram.
“Who prevailed? Sonia Gandhi? Dr Manmohan Singh via SG? He alludes to how US Secy of State Condoleezza Rice insisted that India shouldn’t react!” he wrote in a post on X (formerly Twitter).
He added, “Why was UPA taking orders from her? Why did Sonia Gandhi prevail over HM? Eventually we gave MFN status to Pakistan. Never ever acted on series of terror attacks and lost many many lives.”
“Congress gave cleanchit to Pak on 26/11 and Samjhauta & induced Hindu Terror angles. Today too they doubt Surgical Strike, Balakote and Op Sindoor and clean chit to Pak on Pahalgam,” he went on to say.
Poonawalla claimed that Congress has not congratulated Team India on its Aisa Cup win, asking, “Yeh rishta kya kehlata hai?”
National Spokesperson of BJP, Pradeep Bhandari, also posted the video and said, “It’s clear Sonia Gandhi did not want India to attack Pakistan post 26/11 terror attack. From Batla House to 26/11 to Operation Sindoor to Operation Tilak, the Gandhi Vadra family is anti-India, pro-Pak.”