Tharoor’s Diplomatic Response to Colombia’s Reaction on Operation Sindoor
In the wake of India’s Operation Sindoor—a retaliatory military strike on terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK)—Congress MP and leader of a multi-party Indian delegation, Shashi Tharoor, voiced clear disappointment over Colombia’s diplomatic response. The operation, conducted on May 7, 2025, followed a horrific terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, where over two dozen civilians lost their lives.
During the delegation’s visit to Colombia, Tharoor criticized the Colombian government’s choice to extend condolences for lives lost in Pakistan following the Indian strikes, rather than acknowledging the victims of terrorism in India. Tharoor’s remarks aimed to clarify India’s stance that the operation was a legitimate act of self-defence, not aggression, and to counter narratives that create false equivalences between terrorists and those combating terror.
Colombia’s Reaction and Tharoor’s Firm Rebuttal: No Equivalence Between Terrorists and Defenders
Shashi Tharoor’s key grievance was the Colombian government’s condolence message, which he felt unjustly sympathized with Pakistan following India’s targeted strikes, while neglecting the Indian victims of terrorism. He argued that such responses dangerously blur the line between perpetrators of terror and those defending their nation’s sovereignty.
Tharoor emphasized:
“There can be no equivalence between those who dispatch terrorists and those who resist them. There can be no equivalence between those who attack and those who defend.”
Sashi Tharoor Schools Colombian Govt in Colombia
— The Jaipur Dialogues (@JaipurDialogues) May 30, 2025
Must Watch! 🔥
What a Great Pick by PM Modi to spread the Indian Narrative on Operation Sindoor pic.twitter.com/0wFG7d7HU2
This statement underscored India’s fundamental position that counter-terror operations are defensive, necessary, and justified. India views Operation Sindoor as a proportionate response to the terror attack in Pahalgam, which brutally targeted innocent civilians. In his diplomatic dialogue, Tharoor sought to convey that India’s actions were consistent with international law regarding self-defence. He rejected any narrative that painted India’s response as aggression, insisting it was a necessary step to dismantle terror infrastructure that threatens Indian lives and security.
India’s Diplomatic Outreach: Clarifying Misunderstandings and Highlighting Pakistan’s Role
The multi-party delegation led by Tharoor aimed not only to express India’s viewpoint but also to engage directly with Colombian officials to resolve misunderstandings around Operation Sindoor. The delegation’s visit formed part of a broader diplomatic effort to educate and explain India’s counter-terrorism policies. Tharoor pointedly referenced evidence of Pakistan’s complicity in supporting terrorism, highlighting incidents such as public funerals of UN-designated terrorists attended by Pakistani military and police officials. These examples were presented to emphasize why India’s strikes were both justified and necessary.
The Indian delegation urged Colombia and the international community to acknowledge that countries providing safe havens, financial support, and logistical assistance to terrorists bear responsibility for enabling violence. Tharoor’s remarks aimed to rally diplomatic understanding and support for India’s right to defend itself against cross-border terrorism. By addressing Colombian concerns and clarifying India’s stance, the delegation hoped to foster better bilateral relations based on mutual respect and accurate information regarding the India-Pakistan conflict and the fight against terrorism.
