An all-party Indian Parliamentary delegation, led by Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, recently concluded a visit to Brazil, where they engaged with key Brazilian officials, including Acting Foreign Minister Maria Laura da Rocha and Chief Advisor to the President, Celso Amorim. The primary objective of the visit was to strengthen collaboration on anti-terrorism efforts, discuss multilateralism, and reinforce the democratic values shared by both nations. The delegation's visit comes in the wake of the April 22, 2025, terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir.
Tharoor expressed satisfaction with the meetings, emphasizing the "tremendously warm and friendly" atmosphere. He highlighted the importance of conveying India's message and securing solidarity in the fight against terrorism, stating that this objective was successfully achieved. The delegation also thanked Brazil for its understanding of India's position against terrorism and for the views shared regarding the Pahalgam attack.
During the meetings, the Indian delegation briefed their Brazilian counterparts on the recent developments in India, particularly focusing on the aftermath of the Pahalgam terrorist attack. They conveyed India's firm national consensus and resolute stance against all forms and manifestations of terrorism, reaffirming the country's zero-tolerance policy towards cross-border terrorism.
Celso Amorim, Chief Advisor to the President of Brazil, reiterated Brazil's condemnation of terrorism against the civilian population in India. He acknowledged the long-standing relationship between the two countries and expressed confidence that Brazil would fully sympathize with India's concerns. Amorim also noted that President Lula had personally spoken with Prime Minister Modi to express solidarity.
The Indian Embassy in Brazil shared updates on the meetings through social media, noting that the delegation discussed strengthening cooperation on anti-terrorist measures, multilateralism, and democratic values. Ambassador Taranjit Singh Sandhu also highlighted a meeting between the delegation and Senator Nelsinho Trad, President of Brazil's Senate Foreign Affairs Committee, who extended full support to India.
Prior to visiting Brazil, the delegation was in Colombia, where they addressed concerns regarding Colombia's initial reaction to India's "Operation Sindoor." According to Tharoor, Colombia's Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Rosa Yolanda Villavicencio withdrew a statement that expressed condolences over deaths in Pakistan resulting from the operation. Villavicencio affirmed that Colombia fully understood India's position on the matter. Tharoor had expressed disappointment with Colombia's initial statement, which appeared to equate terrorists killed by "Operation Sindoor" with their victims in Pahalgam.
The delegation's visit to Brazil and Colombia underscores India's proactive approach to international diplomacy in addressing the threat of terrorism. By engaging with key partners and sharing perspectives on regional security challenges, India aims to foster greater understanding and cooperation in the global fight against terrorism. The discussions in Brazil also touched upon strategic bilateral issues, reflecting the growing alignment between the two countries on international security priorities.
