Overview

• Chidambaram said then–US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice flew to Delhi within days of the attacks and urged India not to react.
• He acknowledged that retribution crossed his mind and that he discussed options with the prime minister before a decision, shaped by MEA and IFS advice, not to “physically react.”
• BJP figures called the comments “worrying” and “too little, too late,” arguing the UPA mishandled the crisis under external pressure.
• Citing the 2009 Sharm El-Sheikh joint declaration, BJP leaders contrasted the UPA’s approach with later cross‑border actions in 2016, 2019 and 2025 under NDA governments.
• The 26/11 assaults by 10 Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists killed more than 160 people and injured hundreds; Ajmal Kasab was captured, convicted and executed.