An all-party Parliamentary delegation, led by Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, has concluded its visit to the United States after a series of meetings with key US officials, lawmakers, and members of the Indian-American community. The delegation's primary objective was to brief their American counterparts on India's concerns regarding cross-border terrorism and to reinforce the country's firm resolve in combating it, particularly in light of the recent Pahalgam terror attack and the subsequent "Operation Sindoor."
The delegation's visit to the US was the final leg of a multi-nation tour that also included stops in Brazil, Guyana, Panama and Colombia. The delegation arrived in Washington D.C. on June 3rd and engaged in a series of meetings over three days. These meetings included discussions with US Vice President J D Vance, Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau, and leaders from both the House Foreign Affairs Committee (HFAC) and the India Caucus. They also interacted with members of the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee, various Congressmen, policy experts, and members of the Indian diaspora.
Throughout their engagements, the delegation conveyed India's perspective on the escalating threat of terrorism emanating from across the border. They provided detailed briefings on the April 22nd Pahalgam attack, in which 26 people were killed, and outlined India's response through "Operation Sindoor," launched on May 7th. Shashi Tharoor emphasized India's unwavering commitment to counter-terrorism in all its forms, highlighting the repeated provocations and the need for a firm response.
The US officials and lawmakers expressed their condemnation of the terrorist attacks and reiterated their support for India's right to self-defense. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau reaffirmed the United States' strong support for India in its fight against terrorism. Discussions also encompassed avenues to deepen cooperation between the two countries in areas of shared interest, including counter-terrorism efforts and enhancing technological cooperation. Several senators conveyed their solidarity with India, acknowledging the challenges India faces in the region.
In a meeting with Vice President J D Vance, Tharoor described the discussion as "excellent," noting Vance's "warm and welcoming" demeanor. Vance reportedly expressed outrage over the Pahalgam attack and conveyed support for India's "restrained response" in Operation Sindoor.
The delegation also addressed the US media at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. During the session, moderated by Indian-American journalist Poonam Sharma, they highlighted India's resolve against terrorism and contrasted India's trajectory as a place for business and partnership with Pakistan's role as an exporter of terror. Former Indian Ambassador to the US, Taranjit Singh Sandhu, who was part of the delegation, emphasized that India is fighting the battle against terrorism on behalf of the world, especially the United States, given the threats terrorists have posed to the US in the past.
Shashi Tharoor acknowledged the "challenging" media environment in the US but expressed confidence that India's message could resonate with the right audiences. He highlighted the delegation's packed schedule, including meetings with government officials, legislators, think tanks, and media outlets.
The all-party delegation included Shambhavi Chaudhary (Lok Janshakti Party), Sarfaraz Ahmed (Jharkhand Mukti Morcha), G M Harish Balayogi (Telugu Desam Party), Shashank Mani Tripathi, Tejasvi Surya, and Bhubaneswar Kalita (all from the BJP), Mallikarjun Devda (Shiv Sena), former Indian Ambassador to the US Taranjit Singh Sandhu, and Shiv Sena MP Milind Deora.
