A high-powered, all-party Indian parliamentary delegation, led by Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, recently concluded a significant visit to the United States, where they engaged with top US officials, including Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau and members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. The primary objective of the visit was to brief the US government on the escalating threat of cross-border terrorism that India faces and to present India's perspective on the recent counter-terrorism operation, "Operation Sindoor." The delegation also aimed to deepen bilateral cooperation between the two countries in combating terrorism and other areas of shared interest.

The discussions in Washington centered around the heinous terrorist attack in Pahalgam that occurred on April 22, 2025, in which 26 innocent tourists were brutally killed. The delegation emphasized the cross-border nature of the attack, which was attributed to The Resistance Front (TRF), a proxy of the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba. In response to this attack, India launched "Operation Sindoor," a targeted operation aimed at terrorist training camps within Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir.

Tharoor and his delegation articulated India's firm resolve to counter cross-border terrorism in all its forms. They highlighted that Operation Sindoor was a measured and non-escalatory response, carefully designed to target terrorist infrastructure while avoiding military targets, thereby minimizing the risk of further escalation. The delegation stressed that the operation was a necessary act of self-defense in the face of persistent provocations and the urgent need to protect its citizens.

The US officials, on their part, expressed strong support for India in its fight against terrorism. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau reaffirmed the United States' unwavering commitment to stand with India in these challenging times. Senator Van Hollen echoed this sentiment, expressing deep sympathy for India and asserting that the US stands firmly with India in combating terrorism.

The US officials also acknowledged India's right to defend itself against cross-border terrorism. The discussions explored avenues to deepen cooperation between the two countries, focusing on intelligence sharing, counter-terrorism strategies, and regional security. Both sides recognized the importance of a strong and coordinated approach to address the evolving threats in the region.

Shashi Tharoor described his conversation with Senator Cory Booker as "warm and productive," noting that he had outlined the repeated provocations of terrorism emanating from across the border, detailed Operation Sindoor, and emphasized India's firm resolve in countering any future acts of terrorism. Senator Booker unequivocally condemned terrorism and expressed sympathies with the victims.

The visit by the Indian parliamentary delegation underscores the deepening strategic ties between India and the United States. In February 2025, both countries launched the "U.S.-India COMPACT (Catalyzing Opportunities for Military Partnership, Accelerated Commerce & Technology) for the 21st Century," an initiative aimed at driving transformative change across key pillars of cooperation. This includes defense, trade, and technology.

The US-India trade relationship is also witnessing rapid growth, surpassing $200 billion annually. Both nations are committed to further strengthening their economic partnership, with a goal to more than double bilateral trade to $500 billion by 2030. Discussions are underway to negotiate a mutually beneficial Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) to promote growth, fairness, and job creation.

India's "Operation Sindoor" has been described as a "multi-domain, high-precision offensive" that represents a strategic evolution in India's approach to cross-border terrorism. It involved precision strikes targeting nine sites linked to anti-India terrorist groups. The operation demonstrated India's capability to employ advanced weaponry and technology to neutralize terrorist threats.

The visit by the Indian delegation to the United States has reinforced the strong partnership between the two countries. It has also highlighted the shared commitment to combating terrorism and promoting regional security. As India continues to face the challenges of cross-border terrorism, the support and cooperation from the United States remain crucial in addressing this global threat.