Congress MP Shashi Tharoor voiced his disappointment over Colombia’s reaction to India’s Operation Sindoor, firmly stating that there can be no moral equivalence between India’s defensive actions and Pakistan’s support for terrorism. Leading an Indian parliamentary delegation to Latin America, Tharoor made these remarks during a press briefing in Bogotá, after the Colombian government expressed condolences over Pakistani casualties from Indian airstrikes. He clarified that India’s actions were a justified response to a deadly terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir.
Tharoor Calls Out Colombia’s ‘Misunderstanding’
Tharoor addressed the Colombian government’s statement following India’s retaliatory strikes on May 7, which were launched after the Pahalgam terror attack that killed several Indian security personnel. He stressed that the loss of lives in Pakistan occurred as a result of India defending itself, not launching unprovoked aggression. “We are disappointed that instead of condemning terrorism, Colombia expressed condolences for those who sheltered terrorists,” Tharoor said, urging greater clarity in understanding India’s position.
He added that the global community must distinguish between perpetrators of terror and nations that act in self-defence. Tharoor reiterated that The Resistance Front, a Lashkar-e-Taiba proxy operating out of Pakistan, had claimed responsibility for the Pahalgam attack. He said the Indian delegation hoped to dispel any misinterpretation and convey that India’s action was necessary and proportionate.
China’s Role in Pakistan’s Military and BRI Raised
Highlighting broader geopolitical concerns, Tharoor also pointed to China’s growing influence over Pakistan’s military and economy. He noted that over 80% of Pakistan’s defence equipment comes from China, much of which, he alleged, is used for offensive purposes. He further discussed the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), part of Beijing’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), warning that such projects could undermine regional stability.
His comments coincided with Colombia’s formal decision to join China’s BRI earlier this month. Tharoor acknowledged that Pakistan had the right to develop, but warned that its collaboration with China should not come at the cost of supporting terror groups. He urged nations like Colombia to hold Pakistan accountable and refrain from false equivalence that obscures the reality of cross-border terrorism faced by India.
Comparing India’s four-decade struggle with terrorism to Colombia’s own experiences, Tharoor appealed for greater solidarity in countering extremism globally.
