Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called on the Congress party to explain why the UPA government refrained from retaliating against Pakistan following the 2008 Mumbai terrorist attacks. Speaking at the inauguration of Navi Mumbai International Airport, Modi referenced comments made by former Union Home Minister P Chidambaram, who indicated that Indian security forces were prepared to strike Pakistan but were halted due to international pressure.

Modi stated, "Congress needs to tell who made the decision under pressure from a foreign power. The country has all right to know. Congress's weakness strengthened the terrorists. The country repeatedly has had to pay for this mistake by sacrificing lives." He emphasized that national security and the safety of citizens are paramount.

Chidambaram, in a recent interview, revealed that he had considered retaliatory action against Pakistan after the attacks but was ultimately persuaded against it. He noted that the decision-making process during the Manmohan Singh administration was heavily influenced by diplomatic pressure, particularly from the United States.

He explained, "It did cross my mind that we should do some act of retribution. I did discuss it with the Prime Minister and other people who mattered. The conclusion was largely influenced by the MEA and the IFS that we should not physically react to the situation, but we should employ diplomatic means." Chidambaram also mentioned that then US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice had visited New Delhi to urge India not to retaliate militarily, highlighting the international concerns surrounding the potential for conflict.