Former Taoiseach Leo Varadkar Calls for Restraint Following Terror Attack in India
Dublin: Former Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has co-authored a letter with former Scottish First Minister Humza Yousaf, urging calm and restraint in the aftermath of a recent terror attack in India that claimed the lives of several innocent tourists. While the Irish government has yet to issue an official statement on the incident, Varadkar’s intervention comes amid growing international concern over escalating tensions between India and Pakistan.
In a joint letter addressed to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, the two former leaders—each with deep personal ties to the Indian subcontinent—appealed for de-escalation and dialogue. Varadkar, whose father is from Mumbai, and Yousaf, who is of Pakistani heritage, emphasised their shared heritage and their roles as former public servants in Europe.
“We write not only as former political leaders of Ireland and Scotland, but also as sons of South Asia who cherish the histories, cultures, and people of both India and Pakistan,” the letter states. “It is from a place of deep affection and respect for both nations that we urge their leaders to choose diplomacy over confrontation.”
The letter acknowledges the emotional weight of conflict, particularly in the face of terrorist violence, but calls for a long-term perspective. “The path of conflict may stir national pride, but in the end, it is civilians—ordinary people—who suffer the most,” the leaders wrote.
Varadkar and Yousaf also addressed diaspora communities across the world, encouraging them to reject hatred and resist division during this time of heightened tension.
Drawing parallels with the historical reconciliation between the United Kingdom and Ireland, the letter highlighted the value and difficulty of pursuing peace. “Reconciliation between former adversaries is never easy—we know this from our own national histories,” they wrote. “But peace must always be the goal. It demands composure, moral courage, and the ability to see beyond short-term political pressures.”
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