Indian Ambassador Condemns Irish Times Editorial on Pahalgam Attack as Biased and Irresponsible
Dublin: Indian Ambassador to Ireland, Akhilesh Mishra, has issued a strong response to an editorial published by The Irish Times on April 28 regarding the Pahalgam terror attack, accusing the publication of failing to condemn terrorism and instead targeting the Indian government.
In a sharply worded letter to the editor, Ambassador Mishra expressed deep concern over the editorial’s tone and content, calling it “derogatory, offensive, and lacking journalistic objectivity”. He criticised the editorial for focusing its attention on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while offering no expression of solidarity with the victims of the terror attack that killed 26 people, including 25 Indian nationals and one Nepali tourist.
Ambassador Mishra’s Key Points
In his letter, Mishra noted:
“The Irish Times editorial is deeply disappointing. Rather than denouncing the brutal terrorist attack, the piece attempts to vilify the Indian prime minister and government, thereby emboldening extremist elements and their backers.”
He also highlighted that the editorial failed to mention the global condemnation of the Pahalgam attack, including statements from European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, the United Nations Security Council, and the Irish Government itself. Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin had expressed solidarity with India, as had many members of the Irish public, Mishra added.
“Equating India with Pakistan — a country widely recognised as a hub for international terrorism and known to have harboured Osama bin Laden — is misleading and unacceptable,” the ambassador wrote.
Rebuttal of Editorial Claims
The ambassador rejected The Irish Times’ portrayal of the situation in Jammu and Kashmir, calling its claims of repression and revoked autonomy “factually inaccurate”. He pointed to the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019, which he said has led to unprecedented economic and infrastructure development, a rise in foreign investment, and a tourism boom.
He also cited the 2024 Jammu and Kashmir legislative elections, in which 63.9% of eligible voters participated, as a testament to the region’s democratic progress.
“The people of Jammu and Kashmir, across political and religious lines, stand united in condemning terrorism and supporting the government’s firm response to the Pahalgam attack,” Mishra stated.
Criticism of Media Coverage
The ambassador’s letter further accused some elements of the Irish media — including The Irish Times, RTÉ, and the Irish Examiner — of being susceptible to narratives sympathetic to extremist ideologies. He alleged that their editorial stances often mirror those of groups with vested interests in maligning India and its counter-terrorism efforts, drawing a comparison with their coverage of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
While the ambassador acknowledged Pakistan’s denial of involvement in the Pahalgam attack and its offer to cooperate with an international investigation, he reiterated that India had credible intelligence linking Pakistan-based terror groups to the incident and emphasised the need for international accountability.
A Call for Unity
Ambassador Mishra concluded by emphasising India’s unity in the face of terrorism. He stated that the nation — including the government, opposition parties, religious leaders, and civil society — is resolute in its determination to bring the perpetrators to justice.
“This is not a moment for politicisation or media sensationalism,” he said. “It is a moment to stand with the victims and against terrorism in all its forms.”
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