US Asked India Not To 'React' After Mumbai Terror Attack: P Chidambaram's Big 26/11 Admission

Former Union Home Minister P Chidambaram has disclosed that the UPA government opted against military retaliation following the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, a decision heavily influenced by intense international pressure and the Ministry of External Affairs' (MEA) advice.

In an interview, the veteran Congress leader confessed that "retribution crossed my mind" but the government ultimately decided against military action. Chidambaram, who assumed the Home Minister role just days after the coordinated attacks that killed 175 people, recalled the international response. "The whole world descended upon Delhi to tell us 'don't start a war'," he said.

He specifically cited a visit by then US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice shortly after he took office. "Condoleeza Rice... flew in two or three days after I took over, to meet me and the Prime Minister. And to say, 'please don't react'."

Chidambaram acknowledged discussing a possible response with the Prime Minister and "other people who mattered." He recalled, "The conclusion was, largely influenced by the Ministry of External Affairs, and the IFS, that we should not physically react to the situation."

The attacks on November 26, 2008, saw 10 Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists from Pakistan carry out strikes across Mumbai, including at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj train station, major hotels (The Oberoi Trident, The Taj Mahal Palace and Tower), the Leopold Cafe, Cama Hospital, and Nariman House. Terrorist Ajmal Kasab was captured and later executed in 2012.

BJP Condemns Admission

Chidambaram's remarks drew sharp criticism from BJP leaders, who deemed the admission "too little, too late."

Union Minister Pralhad Joshi stated that the former Home Minister confirmed what the country already suspected: that the Mumbai attacks were "mishandled due to pressure from foreign powers."

BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawala questioned the decision-making process, suggesting Chidambaram was initially in favour of military action but "others prevailed." He queried whether senior Congress leader Sonia Gandhi or then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had blocked the move, asking, "Why was UPA taking orders from her? Why did Sonia Gandhi prevail over the Home Minister?"

Poonawala further accused the Congress of giving Pakistan a "clean chit" on the Mumbai attacks and the 2007 Samjhauta Express bombings, promoting a "Hindu terror" narrative, and continuing to "doubt" New Delhi's military actions against Islamabad. He also criticised the UPA government for granting Pakistan Most Favoured Nation (MFN) status despite repeated terror strikes.