In a powerful diplomatic statement from Panama City, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor delivered a clear message that terrorism will not go unpunished, reflecting India’s resolve in the aftermath of the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam. Speaking on behalf of a diverse all-party delegation, Shashi Tharoor underlined India’s united front against cross-border terrorism and urged the global community to recognize and act against Pakistan-backed terror networks.
India’s Justification for Operation Sindoor
Addressing Panama’s Assembly President Dana Castaneda and several lawmakers, Shashi Tharoor explained that Operation Sindoor was not an impulsive military decision, but a well-considered action following Pakistan’s inaction. India waited two weeks after the Pahalgam attack that killed 26 people, mostly tourists, hoping the Pakistani government would act. When no steps were taken, Indian forces conducted precision strikes on May 7 targeting nine known terror infrastructures, including those run by Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Taiba in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
Shashi Tharoor made it clear that India’s intention was never to escalate conflict but to send a firm message that terrorism cannot be tolerated. “We attacked the known headquarters of terrorist bases inside Pakistan. We had no interest in starting a war, but we felt that a terrorist act must not go unpunished,” he said.
A Unified Political Voice Against Terror
Shashi Tharoor emphasized that despite coming from varied political ideologies, the delegation was unified in its mission to present India’s stance on terrorism. The group, comprising MPs from the BJP, Congress, Shiv Sena, JMM, TDP, and other parties, along with former diplomat Taranjit Sandhu, reflected India’s bipartisan commitment to combating terrorism. Shashi Tharoor noted that for four decades, India has endured repeated attacks, and it’s time the global community understands that the pain must not go unanswered.
Speaking at the Indian embassy in Panama, Shashi Tharoor appealed to the country to pressure Pakistan into prosecuting the perpetrators of terror. He added that Kashmir is an integral part of India, and attempts by Pakistan and terror outfits to wrest control through violence would be futile. “We are not going to give it to them even if we have to pay the price that we have repeatedly paid,” he stated.
Shashi Tharoor also reminded the international audience that India had previously refrained from crossing the Line of Control, even during the Kargil War. But post-Pahalgam, it not only crossed the LoC but also the international border to strike deep into Pakistan’s Punjab region, signaling a new era of assertive counterterrorism policy.
