Washington– India’s all-party parliamentary delegation currently visiting the United States reported overwhelming international support for India’s stance on terrorism, and a marked absence of sympathy for Pakistan. Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, delegation leader and Congress MP Shashi Tharoor emphasized the global solidarity India has received during its diplomatic outreach.
“Our aim in every country we visit is to present India’s perspective, share our experiences from the past few weeks, and build international understanding and support,” Tharoor said at a press conference.
“So far, I’m pleased to report a perfect score: every single person we’ve spoken to has unequivocally condemned the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, expressed outrage and sympathy, and endorsed India’s right to defend itself. This level of understanding has been both welcome and encouraging.”
Tharoor described the Pahalgam attack, which targeted innocent tourists, as a brutal act that shattered a period of economic renewal and optimism in Kashmir. “Kashmir was thriving. Locals were seeing real economic benefit from booming tourism,” he said. “And then, in a shocking act of cruelty, terrorists singled out and executed unarmed vacationers—asking their religion before shooting them. It was an appalling outrage.”
He said the nation rallied behind the government’s military response, which was firm yet calibrated. “The government made it clear each day: we strike because we’re being struck. When they stop, we stop. And after 88 hours, Pakistan’s Director General of Military Operations contacted India to end the exchange—and we did,” Tharoor said.
On the issue of Pakistan’s credibility in global forums, Tharoor was blunt. “Where was Osama bin Laden hiding? Who carried out the Mumbai attacks? Which Pakistani agencies are linked to terror groups listed by the UN? These facts are indisputable, and the world is aware.”
Responding to questions about international reactions to India’s account, Tharoor noted, “No one pushed back or tried to defend Pakistan. In fact, several interlocutors went out of their way to stress they had no sympathy for Pakistan’s position.”
He summed up the U.S. policy tone as one of “total support for India’s fight against terrorism” and “complete understanding of our right to self-defense.”
BJP MP Tejasvi Surya, also part of the delegation, was critical of Pakistan’s attempts to portray itself as a peace-seeking nation. “It’s ironic to hear Pakistan talk about peace—it’s like the devil quoting scripture,” he said. “They’re promoting failed generals as field marshals while trying to manufacture heroes. They’ve lost credibility.”
Surya said India’s position has found clear and consistent backing abroad. “In every country we visited and in our meetings with U.S. senators and representatives, there has been absolutely no support for the Pakistani cause. India’s position has been unequivocally endorsed.”
Former Indian Ambassador to the U.S., Taranjit Singh Sandhu, who is accompanying the delegation, highlighted the broader global implications of India’s fight against terrorism. “These are the same terrorists who have previously threatened the United States. India’s fight is not just its own—it’s a fight on behalf of the world,” he said.
The diverse delegation includes representatives from across India’s political spectrum: Shambhavi Choudhary (Lok Janshakti Party – Ram Vilas), Sarfaraz Ahmad (Jharkhand Mukti Morcha), Milind Murli Deora (Shiv Sena), Bhubaneswar Kalita and Tejasvi Surya (BJP), and GM Harish Balayogi (Telugu Desam Party), a partner in the National Democratic Alliance. (Source: IANS)
