India's Calibrated Response to Pakistan: Balancing Retaliation and Restraint

Shashi Tharoor, a Congress MP, clarified that India holds no interest in waging war against Pakistan, yet it is prepared to firmly respond to any aggression targeting its civilian, military, or government entities. This statement comes amid recent escalations following a terror attack.

India's response to the Pahalgam attack, which resulted in significant loss of life, was calculated. According to Tharoor, targeted strikes were conducted at night to avoid civilian casualties. India aims to show restraint, despite ongoing artillery exchanges and casualties in Poonch from cross-border shelling by Pakistan.

Under Operation Sindoor, India's strategic missile strikes against terror bases demonstrated unity with its armed forces. Tharoor underscored that the nation's response is measured to signal responsible conduct, even though Pakistani factions were implicated in the attacks. He reaffirmed India's stance of avoiding war unless directly provoked.

(With inputs from agencies.)