New Delhi: Congress MP Shashi Tharoor expressed disappointment over Colombia’s condolences extended to Pakistan for the lives lost during India’s Operation Sindoor. He underscored that there can be no equivalence between terrorists and those who act in self-defense against terror attacks.
Currently in Colombia with a delegation of Indian MPs, Tharoor is part of India’s global outreach to reinforce the nation’s firm stance against terrorism. “We were a little disappointed with Colombia’s response, which expressed heartfelt condolences on losses in Pakistan following Indian strikes, rather than sympathizing with victims of terrorism,” he said.
Tharoor reiterated that India possesses concrete evidence linking Pakistan-sponsored terror groups to the April 22 Pahalgam attack, where 26 civilians were killed. “We are exercising our right to self-defense. India has endured decades of terror attacks, much like Colombia has faced its share of terrorism,” he added.
The Thiruvananthapuram MP also highlighted concerns over Pakistan’s military capabilities, noting that China supplies 81% of Pakistani defense equipment, much of which is offensive rather than defensive in nature. “Our dispute is with the perpetration of terror, not a conventional conflict,” he emphasized.
The delegation, after visits to Panama and Guyana, arrived in Bogotá and will engage with Colombian Congress members, ministers, think tanks, and media during their stay. Alongside Tharoor, members include MPs from various parties: Sarfraz Ahmad (JMM), G M Harish Balayogi (TDP), Shashank Mani Tripathi (BJP), Bhubaneswar Kalita (BJP), Milind Deora (Shiv Sena), Tejasvi Surya (BJP), and former Indian Ambassador to the US, Taranjit Singh Sandhu.
This delegation is one among seven multi-party groups assigned to visit 33 global capitals, aiming to present India's position to the international community following the Pahalgam terror attack.
Tensions between India and Pakistan escalated after the Pahalgam attack, prompting India’s precision strikes on terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir on May 7. Subsequently, Pakistan launched attacks on Indian military bases on May 8, 9, and 10, to which India responded strongly.
The hostilities subsided after talks between the directors general of military operations from both sides on May 10 agreed to cease military actions.
