Washington– Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, currently leading an all-party Indian parliamentary delegation in the United States, issued a strong warning on Thursday, stating that there will be a “price to pay” for terror attacks like the April 22 assault in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. He affirmed that India will not allow cross-border terrorism to go unpunished.
Tharoor made the statement during an interaction with members of U.S.-based think tanks and young professionals at the Indian Embassy, as part of India’s ongoing diplomatic outreach following the launch of Operation Sindoor.
“Our message is clear: India will not allow its citizens to be killed with impunity. Attacks like Pahalgam, which bear the hallmarks of detailed planning and military-style execution, will not go unanswered,” Tharoor said. “There will be consequences.”
He emphasized that the goal of the visit was not to dwell on violence but to highlight India’s commitment to peace, development, and global cooperation. “We are a country focused on growth, on pulling the last few below the poverty line into a prosperous future. But when attacks like this happen, perpetrated for cynical motives, we are compelled to respond. And that response must be clear, swift, and resolute,” he told attendees.
The all-party delegation includes MPs from across the political spectrum: Shambhavi Chaudhary (LJP), Sarfaraz Ahmed (JMM), G.M. Harish Balayogi (TDP), Shashank Mani Tripathi, Tejasvi Surya, and Bhubaneswar Kalita (BJP), Milind Deora (Shiv Sena), and former Indian Ambassador to the U.S. Taranjit Singh Sandhu.
Earlier, the delegation met U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance for a wide-ranging discussion that covered counterterrorism collaboration and enhanced technological cooperation.
“Excellent meeting with Vice President J.D. Vance today in Washington, D.C.,” Tharoor posted on X. “We had comprehensive discussions across a range of critical issues, from combating terrorism to strengthening tech partnerships. A truly constructive exchange and a strong meeting of minds.”
BJP MP Tejasvi Surya also shared details of the meeting, noting that Vance had witnessed the consequences of cross-border terrorism firsthand during a recent visit to India. “We discussed India’s robust counterterrorism efforts under Prime Minister Narendra Modi and emphasized the need for joint global action to stop Pakistan-sponsored terror,” he posted.
The delegation also held talks with the leadership of the U.S. Congressional India Caucus, including Congressman Andy Barr, Representative Ro Khanna, and Representative Mark Veasey. Tharoor described the discussions as “productive and encouraging,” highlighting the bipartisan support for strengthening India-U.S. ties.
“Our delegation deeply appreciates the strong bipartisan support we received. There’s a remarkable consensus on the importance of the India-U.S. relationship, and we look forward to building on this momentum,” Tharoor said.
Public engagement also featured prominently in the visit. At an event at the Willard Hotel, over 350 members of the Indian diaspora gathered to hear from the delegation.
BJP MP Shashank Mani Tripathi, who addressed the gathering, said, “As others spoke about Operation Sindoor, I focused on the economic and geopolitical alignment between India and the U.S., and urged the diaspora to participate in Viksit Bharat. Their connection to India is vital to our shared future.”
The delegation’s visit to the U.S. follows their stop in Brazil and is part of a broader diplomatic initiative launched in the wake of Operation Sindoor, which began on May 7 in response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack. That attack, carried out by Pakistan-sponsored terrorists, claimed 26 lives and injured many more.
In retaliation, the Indian Armed Forces launched strikes targeting terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Jammu and Kashmir, killing over 100 militants linked to groups including Jaish-e-Mohammed, Lashkar-e-Taiba, and Hizbul Mujahideen. (Source: IANS)
