A multi-party parliamentary delegation from India, led by Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, concluded a significant diplomatic visit to the United States, the final leg of their multi-nation tour aimed at rallying global support and understanding for Operation Sindoor, India's military response to the Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 lives on April 22.
During their three-day Washington visit, the delegation held high-level meetings with:
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US Vice President JD Vance
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Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau
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Members of the House Foreign Affairs Committee
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The India Caucus
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The Senate Foreign Relations Committee
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Influential think tanks, media professionals, and Indian-American community leaders
Key Highlights from the Visit:
1. Bilateral Support and Condolence
Vice President JD Vance expressed solidarity with India, condemned the terror attack in Pahalgam, and praised India’s restraint in its military response under Operation Sindoor. Tharoor later described the meeting as “excellent” and noted Vance’s “respect for India’s principled, measured reaction.”
2. Strong US Statement on Terrorism
“The Deputy Secretary of State reaffirmed the United States’ strong support of India in the fight against terrorism and the strategic partnership between the two countries.”
Landau also emphasized enhancing the US-India strategic partnership, particularly in trade and commerce, to benefit both nations.
3. Operation Sindoor Explained
The delegation provided a detailed account of Operation Sindoor, India’s targeted counter-terrorism strike believed to have dismantled multiple terror infrastructure sites across the Pakistan-administered regions. They stressed India’s commitment to peace, but also its resolve to protect its citizens when provoked.
4. Outreach to Diaspora & Global Opinion
The team engaged with Indian-American leaders, media outlets, and think tanks to build a broader consensus about India's policy toward terrorism, ensuring that Operation Sindoor is not misunderstood internationally as aggression, but as legitimate self-defense.
5. Tharoor's Gandhian Message
Tharoor also used the visit to remind the world of India’s deep-rooted philosophy of nonviolence. He posted after visiting Gandhi's statue in Washington, saying:
“It is striking how many world capitals are adorned with statues or busts of the Mahatma, the 20th century’s greatest apostle of peace, nonviolence, and human freedom.”
In Hindi, he added that India’s commitment to peace lasts “only until someone crosses the line,” reinforcing India's policy of restraint but readiness.
The Delegation: A Rare Bipartisan Front
The team was remarkable for its diversity, representing multiple political parties, showing a unified national stance:
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Shashi Tharoor (Congress)
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Sarfaraz Ahmad (JMM)
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Ganti Harish Madhur Balayogi (TDP)
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Shashank Mani Tripathi (BJP)
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Bhubaneswar Kalita (BJP)
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Milind Deora (Shiv Sena)
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Tejasvi Surya (BJP)
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Taranjit Singh Sandhu, former Ambassador to the US
Context: Global Campaign Post-Pahalgam
This US visit followed stops in Guyana, Panama, Colombia, and Brazil, where the delegation similarly aimed to shape international opinion in India’s favor post-attack. The campaign comes as New Delhi intensifies diplomatic and strategic messaging, holding Pakistan accountable for cross-border terrorism.
With Operation Sindoor and its aftermath being watched closely worldwide, India’s proactive outreach—with bipartisan political unity—has helped reinforce its position as a responsible yet resolute global power in the face of terrorism.
