A delegation led by Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has embarked on a diplomatic mission to Colombia as part of India's ongoing efforts to strengthen its relationships with key partners in Latin America and convey its resolute stance against terrorism. However, recent events have complicated the situation, requiring deft diplomatic maneuvering.
The visit follows India's Operation Sindoor, a counterterrorism operation launched in response to the deadly Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, 2025, which claimed 26 lives. India identified The Resistance Front, linked to Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba, as the perpetrators. In retaliation, the Indian Air Force conducted strikes on terror launchpads in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir on May 7, followed by further strikes on Pakistani airbases after alleged attempts by Pakistan to attack Indian military positions.
The Tharoor-led delegation's visit to Colombia, from May 29 to 31, includes meetings with Colombian lawmakers, government ministers, policy think tanks, and media representatives, with discussions focused on counterterrorism cooperation and expanded strategic and economic engagement. However, the mission faced an unexpected hurdle when Colombia expressed condolences for casualties in Pakistan following Operation Sindoor, a move that drew criticism from Tharoor and raised concerns about Colombia's stance on terrorism.
Tharoor expressed his disappointment with the Colombian government's reaction, emphasizing that there could be no equivalence between those who perpetrate terrorism and those who resist it. He stressed India's right to self-defense and aimed to dispel any misunderstandings about Operation Sindoor, underscoring that only terror camps were targeted.
Colombia's apparent shift towards a pro-Pakistan stance is believed to be linked to its deepening ties with China. In May 2025, Colombia signed a joint cooperation plan under China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), amid strained relations with the United States under Donald Trump. This alignment with China, Pakistan's "all-weather friend," has fueled concerns that Colombia's foreign policy may be influenced by its economic and strategic interests with China.
Despite the diplomatic challenges, India and Colombia have historically enjoyed friendly bilateral relations, marked by cooperation in trade, renewable energy, and cultural exchange. The two countries established diplomatic relations on January 19, 1959, and celebrated 65 years of ties in 2024. India opened its embassy in Colombia in 1973. Bilateral trade between the two countries has been growing, reaching USD 4.31 billion in 2023-24. In October 2024, the two countries signed an Audio-Visual Co-production Agreement to boost film collaboration and cultural ties.
The delegation's visit to Colombia is part of a broader diplomatic outreach to explain India's position on counterterrorism efforts following the Pahalgam incident. The goal is to foster stronger partnerships and garner international support for India's security challenges, particularly in the face of cross-border terrorism.
While in Colombia, Tharoor reiterated India's stance on the Indus Waters Treaty, emphasizing that its suspension was due to Pakistan's betrayal of the goodwill and harmony that underpinned the treaty. He highlighted India's generosity in sharing water resources despite facing terrorism and war.
The situation remains fluid, and further diplomatic engagement is expected between India and Colombia as India seeks to reinforce its narrative around Operation Sindoor and address concerns about Colombia's stance on terrorism. The success of Tharoor-led team's mission hinges on their ability to navigate these complexities and reaffirm India's commitment to combating terrorism while preserving its longstanding relationship with Colombia.
