P. Chidambaram said he favored striking back at Pakistan after the 2008 Mumbai attacks but the government chose diplomacy instead. The Congress leader became home minister one day after the assault when Shivraj Patil resigned and Dr. Manmohan Singh transferred him from finance. American Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice flew to Delhi, urging India against military action as international powers pressured the administration to avoid war.
Chidambaram admitted his unfamiliarity with security operations when taking office and learned about intelligence gaps over subsequent months. He rejected claims the Singh government was weak on terrorism while acknowledging his personal preference for retaliation. The former minister said comparing 2008 capabilities with current defense readiness ignores seventeen years of military improvements. His complete remarks will appear on Thursday on the Inside Out podcast with ABP News editor Megha Prasad.
Chidambaram admitted his unfamiliarity with security operations when taking office and learned about intelligence gaps over subsequent months. He rejected claims the Singh government was weak on terrorism while acknowledging his personal preference for retaliation. The former minister said comparing 2008 capabilities with current defense readiness ignores seventeen years of military improvements. His complete remarks will appear on Thursday on the Inside Out podcast with ABP News editor Megha Prasad.
