New Delhi, Sept. 30 -- Former Union Home Minister P Chidambaram has admitted that the Congress-led UPA government had decided not to retaliate against Pakistan after the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks due to intense international pressure, as well as the Ministry of External Affairs' stance.

The Congress leader has revealed that "retribution crossed my mind" but the government decided against military action.

"The whole world descended upon Delhi to tell us don't start a war," said Chidambaram during a recent interview. Chidambaram took over as the Union Home Minister days after the 26/11 terror attacks that claimed the lives of 175 people.

"Condoleezza Rice, who was then US Secretary of State, flew in two or three days after I took over, ...