During an all-party parliamentary delegation visit to Panama, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor strongly condemned Pakistan's ongoing support for terrorism targeting India. Speaking to the Indian community at the Sociedad Hindostana de Panama, Tharoor highlighted that India has endured decades of terror attacks originating from Pakistan-backed militants.
Tharoor emphasized that despite India's peaceful intentions and repeated calls to be left alone, Pakistan continues to engage in aggressive acts because of territorial disputes over Indian sovereign borders. He traced the history of such attacks back to 1989, marking nearly four decades of violence, including numerous civilian casualties.
“We have suffered attack after attack for almost four decades,” Tharoor said. He criticized the previous approach of merely appealing to the international community for assistance and highlighted India’s strategic shift in counter-terrorism since 2016. Referring to the surgical strikes in Uri and the 2019 Balakot air strikes, he noted that for the first time, India took decisive action by crossing the Line of Control and striking terror camps deep inside Pakistani territory, sending a clear message that such attacks would have consequences.
Tharoor also vindicated Operation Sindoor, launched in response to the tragic Pahalgam attack in which 26 Indian women were widowed. He recounted how the operation symbolized retaliatory strength, linking the vermilion color (Sindoor) worn by Indian women to the blood of the terrorists, signifying India’s resolve.
During his visit, Tharoor met Panama’s National Assembly President Dana Castaneda, exchanging symbolic gifts and commitments to combat terrorism with strength and unity. The delegation observed a moment of silence in memory of the Pahalgam victims.
The delegation included MPs Tejasvi Surya, Milind Deora, and former U.S. Ambassador Taranjit Singh Sandhu. Speaking alongside Tharoor, Shiv Sena MP Milind Deora warned Pakistan against provocation, affirming that any attacks on India would be met with firm retaliation. BJP MP Shashank Mani stressed that while India does not seek war, it will persist in its development path without letting external threats derail its progress toward a "Viksit Bharat" (developed India).
