An all-party Parliamentary delegation, led by Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, has concluded its visit to the United States, emphasizing India's unwavering commitment to combating terrorism. The delegation's visit, which included meetings with high-ranking US officials, aimed to reinforce the strategic partnership between India and the US in countering terrorism and to brief key interlocutors on India's response to the recent Pahalgam terror attack.
The delegation engaged with US Vice President J.D. Vance and Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau, along with members of Congress and influential think tanks. Discussions centered on India's firm resolve against terrorism, particularly that originating from Pakistan. The delegation highlighted "Operation Sindoor," launched in response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that resulted in 26 deaths, explaining India's measured and proportionate response to terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
During their meetings, the Indian delegation conveyed India's message of zero tolerance and highlighted the unified national resolve against terrorism. They emphasized the importance of disrupting terror support networks and bringing perpetrators to justice, also addressing the need to combat selective silence, politicization of terror narratives, and the growing menace of state-sponsored propaganda.
US officials reaffirmed their support for India's counter-terrorism efforts and the strategic partnership between the two nations. They acknowledged the shared interest in eliminating the threat of terrorism and expressed solidarity with India in the wake of the Pahalgam attack. Discussions also explored ways to enhance technological cooperation between India and the US in the fight against terrorism.
The delegation's visit was part of a broader diplomatic outreach, with seven multi-party delegations tasked to visit 33 global capitals to emphasize Pakistan's links to terrorism and seek international support for India's counter-terrorism efforts. The delegation also met with prominent members of the Indian diaspora in the US, conveying India's resolute and united stand against terrorism and garnering their support for India's fight against terrorism.
Shashi Tharoor also spoke at the Council on Foreign Relations, emphasizing that there is no equivalence between terrorists and their victims. The delegation's visit to the US is seen as a success in conveying India's strong message against terrorism and reinforcing the India-US strategic partnership in this critical area.
