Daijiworld Media Network – New Delhi

New Delhi, Jul 19: Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has welcomed the United States’ move to designate The Resistance Front (TRF) as a Foreign Terrorist Organisation (FTO) and Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT), while raising questions over the delay in Washington's stand against Pakistan-based terror outfits.

In a post on social media platform X, Tharoor termed the move “long overdue” and revealed details of his private conversations with US officials earlier this year in Washington.

“I asked bluntly why the US still allows Pakistan to get away with providing safe haven to terrorist organisations. The response pointed to Pakistan’s claimed cooperation on US-centric counter-terror operations, especially the surrender of the suspect behind the Abbey Gate bombing in Kabul,” Tharoor stated.

The TRF, an offshoot of the banned Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), had claimed responsibility for the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which left 26 civilians dead—the worst attack on Indian civilians since 26/11.

Referring to the different lenses through which India and the US view terrorism, Tharoor said, “Our scepticism about Pakistani sincerity stems from our own experiences with terror agencies directed at India, unlike groups such as ISIS-Khorasan, which the US prioritises.”

He expressed hope that the US move would strengthen India’s case to list TRF at the United Nations and bridge perception gaps between the two countries on counter-terror priorities.

The Indian government, in an official statement, called the US action a “timely and important step” and highlighted the deepening India-US cooperation in the fight against terrorism.

External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar also welcomed the designation, writing on X, “A strong affirmation of India-US counter-terrorism cooperation. Zero tolerance for terrorism.”

India reaffirmed its commitment to pursuing cross-border terror groups and ensuring accountability for all entities targeting its sovereignty.