Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday demanded that the Congress party reveal which foreign nation prevented India from launching a military response following the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks linked to Pakistan in 2008.
Speaking at an event after inaugurating Phase 1 of the Navi Mumbai International Airport, the Aqua Line of the Mumbai Metro, and other infrastructure projects, Modi accused the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government (2004-14) of undermining India’s fight against terrorism, which he claimed led to severe consequences for the nation.
Modi stated, “A Congress leader, who has also been Union home minister, has said that a country prevented India's military retaliation post-26/11 Mumbai terror attacks in 2008. The party should clarify.” He highlighted Mumbai’s significance as India’s financial hub and a vibrant metropolis, noting its susceptibility to terror attacks.
“It is because of this feature of the city that terrorists targeted it in 2008. If a top Congress leader, who has been a Union minister, is to be believed, the then UPA government buckled under pressure of a foreign country against attacking Pakistan even though our defence forces were ready and the mood of the nation was to strike (the neighbouring country),” he added.
Modi was likely referring to former Union Home Minister P Chidambaram’s remarks, where Chidambaram revealed he personally supported military action against Pakistan but noted that the UPA government opted for diplomatic measures, influenced by global powers, including the US, which urged India to avoid initiating a war.
The 26/11 Mumbai attacks, executed by ten heavily armed terrorists from Pakistan, resulted in a three-day siege that killed 166 people, including US nationals, and injured over 300. Modi intensified his criticism of Congress, stating, “The Congress had weakened the fight against terror and compromised on national security, due to which India has had to pay a heavy price and suffer a huge loss of lives.” He insisted that the nation deserves clarity on who blocked India’s military retaliation post-26/11, arguing that Congress’s hesitancy emboldened terrorists.
In contrast, Modi emphasised the current government’s proactive stance, saying, “For us, nothing is more important than the safety and security of our nation and its citizens.” He cited Operation Sindoor, launched by Indian armed forces in May 2025 against terror hubs in Pakistan following the Pahalgam massacre, as evidence of India’s decisive response to terrorism under his leadership.
Without directly naming the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), which governed Maharashtra from November 2019 to June 2022, Modi criticised the delays in developing a second international airport for Mumbai, attributing them to corruption under previous administrations.
“This (creating hurdles in development) is no less than committing a sin,” he remarked. He underscored that “‘Gati’ (speed) and ‘pragati’ (development) are hallmarks of a Viksit Bharat (developed India) where people's welfare is the topmost priority, noting that the past 11 years of BJP-led governance at the Centre have driven progress across infrastructure projects like Vande Bharat trains, the bullet train project, highways, motorways, tunnels, sea bridges, and urban connectivity.
Commenting on the Navi Mumbai International Airport, Modi said, “The airport is located on the land of Shivaji Maharaj. It is a symbol of culture and prosperity. Farmers and fisherfolk can now get access to global markets because of the airport.”
He described its lotus-inspired design as a reflection of Viksit Bharat and highlighted the growth of India’s aviation sector, stating, “The Prime Minister said in 2014, when he assumed office, there were 74 airports in the country, but their number has now gone up to more than 160.”
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