Jaishankar's quiet diplomacy: 26/11 unsung hero briefs Rubio on Pak terror

As US Secretary of State Marco Rubio visited the 26/11 memorial in Mumbai, S Jaishankar made sure he heard the story from someone who witnessed the horrors of the 2008 attacks firsthand.Jaishankar, Marco Rubio and Sunil Kudyadi, the security chief of Taj HotelNew Delhi,Oct 21, 2026 12:02 ISTExternal Affairs Minister S Jaishankar rarely misses an opportunity to remind the world of the reality of Pakistan-sponsored terrorism. On Tuesday, as Marco Rubio laid a wreath at the 26/11 memorial in Mumbai, Jaishankar made sure the US Secretary of State heard the story from someone who witnessed the horrors of the 2008 attacks firsthand. Sunil Kudyadi, the security chief of Taj Hotel, gave Rubio a detailed account of how Lashkar terrorists held it under siege for nearly 60 hours.While the exchange was short, its message was hard to miss at a time when the Donald Trump administration has sought to establish close ties with Pakistan. The Taj Hotel was one of the key sites targeted during the terror attacks that left 166 dead, including six American nationals.RUBIO GETS FIRSTHAND ACCOUNT OF 26/11 ATTACKSAfter Rubio honoured the victims of the 2008 massacre, Jaishankar let Kudyadi, who was present inside the Taj during the attack, do all the talking."He was the security person in charge," Jaishankar told Rubio while introducing Kudyadi. Kudyadi, one of the unsung heroes, played a crucial role in alerting others during the attack. The US Secretary of State, who is on a three-day visit to India, then sought details about the attackers' entry into the building. "They came in the middle of the night. They went up to the sixth floor from the kitchen," Kudyadi told him.Jaishankar added that several people had died in the kitchen. Kudyadi said the siege ended after a harrowing 60 hours, during which 31 Taj Hotel employees and trainees were killed. "They barricaded them," Jaishankar explained, referring to the prolonged operation to flush out the terrorists.The opulent Taj Hotel was full of people, including foreigners, when the terrorists arrived there at around 9 pm on November 26, 2008. For two nights and three days, hundreds of guests and staff remained trapped inside as the four armed terrorists stalked the corridors, killing people at random.Remarkably, none of the Taj employees fled the scene. They all stayed at the hotel to help the guests. Among them was Kudyadi. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio during their visit to Taj Mahal Palace Hotel WHO IS SUNIL KUDYADI?Kudyadi played a vital, unsung role during the siege. An unarmed Kudyadi used his knowledge of the Taj's complex layout to guide the police and commandos, including MARCOS, through the building.He stayed inside for the entire 60-hour siege, assisting in rescue efforts amid gunfire and explosions. His familiarity with the sprawling heritage property proved valuable during the operation in rescuing people and neutralising the attackers. It eventually prevented further casualties.Former Union Home Secretary Ram Pradhan, who headed the committee that investigated the attacks, singled out Kudyadi as an "unsung hero". In the report, Pradhan noted that without his guidance through the labyrinthine hotel, security operations would have faced severe hurdles. Marco Rubio, Jaishankar, and US ambassador to India Sergio Gor raise a toast during a Freedom 250 reception in Mumbai (PTI) WHAT RUBIO SAID ON US-PAKISTAN TIES?Against this backdrop, Jaishankar letting Kudyadi brief Rubio on the 26/11 attacks is being seen as a smart diplomatic move. By letting a firsthand witness narrate the horrors of the 2008 carnage, India reminded the US of the cost of cross-border terrorism. It comes as Trump has sought to deepen commercial and strategic ties with Pakistan, much to the chagrin of India.Jaishankar made sure Rubio got the message about India's disappointment."We expect our partners to show zero tolerance for terrorism," the Union Minister said at an event held by the US to mark the 250th anniversary of American independence."We are clear on the right to defend ourselves against terrorism," Jaishankar said.Later, in an interview with News18, Rubio defended the US's increasing engagement with Pakistan. He underlined that the engagement with Pakistan gives America leverage to "discourage" activities by Islamabad that might be a cause for concern in New Delhi."Pakistan is a country we have to have a relationship with. It is a country that possesses nuclear weapons. It is a country that, from a geographical standpoint, we need to be able to interact with them," Rubio said.Rubio emphasised that US foreign policy requires Washington to maintain ties even with countries with which it has disagreements."It could be a positive thing because if we have a relationship, and we can speak to them (Pakistan)... it puts us in a position to help discourage the kinds of things that India is worried about," Rubio further said.However, Rubio made sure to send a pointed message to Pakistan - a state sponsor of terrorism. "We are against terrorism anywhere in the world. We are against anybody who sponsors terrorism," he said.- Ends