Daijiworld Media Network- New Delhi
New Delhi, May 30: Congress MP Shashi Tharoor expressed his disappointment over Colombia’s statement offering condolences for lives lost in Pakistan following India’s Operation Sindoor. Speaking during his visit to Colombia as part of a multi-party delegation, Tharoor emphasised that there can be no moral equivalence between those who sponsor terrorists and those who act in self-defence.
“We were somewhat disheartened by Colombia’s reaction, which conveyed condolences for Pakistani casualties after Indian strikes, instead of expressing sympathy towards victims of terrorism,” said Tharoor.
The Thiruvananthapuram MP reiterated India’s firm stance, highlighting the country’s possession of concrete evidence linking Pakistan-sponsored terror groups to the horrific Pahalgam attack on April 22, where 26 civilians lost their lives.
“India is merely exercising its sovereign right to self-defence. Just like Colombia, which has faced terror attacks, India has endured several such attacks for almost four decades,” Tharoor added.
He also pointed out the significant role China plays in arming Pakistan, revealing that Beijing supplies 81 per cent of Pakistan’s defence equipment. “Much of this military hardware is offensive in nature, not defensive. Our dispute is with terrorism emanating from Pakistan,” he stated.
The delegation, which arrived in Colombia after visits to Panama and Guyana, includes MPs from several parties: Sarfraz Ahmad (Jharkhand Mukti Morcha), G M Harish Balayogi (Telugu Desam Party), 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 group is among seven multi-party teams India has sent to 33 global capitals, aiming to raise awareness internationally after the Pahalgam terror attack.
Tensions escalated between India and Pakistan following the Pahalgam massacre. On May 7, India launched precise strikes on terror infrastructure in Pakistan and PoK. Pakistan retaliated with attacks on Indian military bases on May 8, 9, and 10, to which India responded robustly. The hostilities concluded after talks between the Directors General of Military Operations of both sides on May 10.