Shashi Tharoor Slams Colombia for Condoling Pakistan Deaths, Reiterates India’s Right to Defend Itself After Pahalgam Attack

Shashi Tharoor Slams Colombia: In a strong diplomatic statement during his visit to Colombia, senior Congress leader and Member of Parliament Shashi Tharoor expressed deep disappointment over the Colombian government’s reaction following India’s precision military operation against terrorist bases in Pakistan. Tharoor condemned Colombia’s decision to offer condolences for the loss of lives in Pakistan after India launched Operation Sindoor, instead of standing in solidarity with the victims of the brutal Pahalgam terror attack that occurred on April 22.

Leading an all-party parliamentary delegation to Colombia, Tharoor emphasized that India acted in legitimate self-defence after facing a heinous terror strike that left the nation grieving. He highlighted that the global community must differentiate between aggressors and those exercising the right to defend their citizens.

“India suffered a grievous terrorist attack on the 22nd of April. The world expressed condemnation, but no tangible action followed—not even from the country where the attackers came from. No arrests. No prosecution. This kind of outrage could not go unpunished,” Tharoor said during a press briefing in Bogotá.

India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7, targeting known terror infrastructure across the Line of Control and deep into Pakistan. Tharoor revealed that the terrorists responsible for the Pahalgam attack were linked to The Resistance Front, a Lashkar-e-Taiba front based in Muridke, Pakistan. He stressed that the operation was a calculated and justified military response aimed solely at terrorist camps, not civilian targets.

In a stern message, Tharoor stated, “We were a little disappointed in the reaction of the Colombian government, which expressed heartfelt condolences on the loss of lives in Pakistan after Indian strikes—rather than expressing sympathy for the Indian lives lost in the terror attack. There can be no equivalence between those who send terrorists and those who resist them.”

He went further to accuse the Pakistani state of complicity in sheltering and honoring terrorists, presenting an image of Pakistani Army officials attending a public funeral of a terrorist known to be on international sanctions lists. “This is the level of state involvement we are dealing with—military officers in uniform honoring individuals who committed acts of terror. It proves once again that Pakistan remains a safe haven for terrorists, with active logistical and moral support from its security agencies,” he said.

Tharoor urged Colombia and the global community to clearly distinguish between the victims of terrorism and its enablers. “We’re here to clarify any misunderstandings. India did not initiate this violence—we responded to protect our citizens. Our actions are based on irrefutable evidence and a commitment to global peace and security,” he added.

Following India’s May 7 operation, Pakistan responded with attempted military strikes on Indian bases on May 8, 9, and 10, to which India issued a firm retaliatory response. Indian defence forces remain on high alert, maintaining that national security and the safety of civilians remain top priorities.

With India standing its ground, this visit by the parliamentary delegation is not only a diplomatic mission but a message to the world—that India will not allow terrorism to go unanswered. Tharoor concluded by reaffirming India’s dedication to combating terrorism in all its forms and urged global partners to join in this collective fight against extremism.

With inputs from agencies