In a strong show of support for India's counter-terrorism efforts, US lawmakers have backed India's stance of responding decisively when attacked. This endorsement comes in the wake of the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which has further strained relations between India and Pakistan. The US Congressmen have expressed unequivocal condemnation for the attack and have voiced their support for India's right to respond to terrorism with zero tolerance.
An all-party Indian Parliamentary delegation, led by Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, is currently in Washington, D.C., to engage with U.S. lawmakers, officials, policy think tanks, and media representatives. The delegation aims to present India's position on terrorism, highlight the objectives of Operation Sindoor, and build a global consensus against cross-border terrorism. Operation Sindoor is India's recent counter-terror operation, viewed as defining a new normal in the country's counterterrorism approach.
During a high-level meeting with the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee (HFAC), the Indian delegation received strong bipartisan support. HFAC Chairman Brian Mast emphasized the depth of bipartisan consensus in supporting India, stating that the world was watching India's response to the attacks with anticipation. He added, "When you are attacked, you have no choice but to respond. The world does not allow anything else, and those responses needed to take place."
Congress leader Bill Huizenga condemned the terrorist attack and affirmed the need for cooperative efforts to root out terrorists. Congresswoman Kamlager-Dove echoed similar sentiments and expressed hope for a lasting ceasefire.
The US lawmakers also hailed the strong strategic partnership between India and the US. The Indian Embassy in the US stated that Congressmen expressed strong support for India's right to respond to terrorism in the spirit of zero tolerance. The Caucus members also recognized the robust strategic partnership between India and the USA.
Shiv Sena MP Milind Deora highlighted the deepening strategic partnership between India and the United States, underlining the shared understanding of Pakistan-sponsored terrorism. He emphasized that America understands Pakistan-sponsored terrorism, drawing a parallel to the 9/11 terror attack and the subsequent global war on terror. Deora asserted that the Foreign Affairs Committee of the US has wholeheartedly supported India and its right to defend itself against any misadventure involving Pakistan.
Shashi Tharoor explained the significance behind the name 'Operation Sindoor,' India's counter-terrorism response following the Pahalgam attack. He noted that "Sindoor" is a vermilion mark applied to the forehead of married women in the Hindu tradition, symbolizing the avenging of the attack.
The delegation's visit to the US is part of a broader diplomatic outreach, with similar delegations visiting 33 global capitals to emphasize Pakistan's links to terrorism. The delegation's message is clear: India has had enough and will take necessary measures to protect its interests.
The support from US lawmakers underscores the growing international recognition of India's concerns regarding cross-border terrorism and its determination to combat it. It also reflects the strengthening strategic partnership between India and the US, which is based on shared values and mutual interests.
