Washington– An all-party Indian parliamentary delegation led by Congress MP Shashi Tharoor arrived in Washington, D.C. on Tuesday evening as part of a two-day diplomatic outreach aimed at reinforcing India’s strong stance against cross-border terrorism, particularly in the wake of the Pahalgam attack.
The visit marks the final stop in India’s global campaign under “Operation Sindoor,” a diplomatic initiative to counter Pakistan-sponsored terrorism and garner international solidarity. The delegation had previously visited Guyana, Panama, Colombia, and Brazil.
India’s Ambassador to the United States, Vinay Mohan Kwatra, welcomed the delegation upon arrival. Over the next two days, the group will meet with U.S. lawmakers, officials from the Donald Trump administration, policy think tanks, and media representatives to brief them on India’s zero-tolerance policy toward terrorism.
“The delegation, led by Shashi Tharoor, will meet members of the U.S. Congress, administration, think tanks, media, and policymakers to highlight Operation Sindoor and India’s firm stand against terrorism,” the Indian Embassy in the U.S. posted on X.
The nine-member team includes MPs from across party lines: Shambhavi Choudhary (Lok Janshakti Party-Ram Vilas), Sarfaraz Ahmad (Jharkhand Mukti Morcha), GM Harish Balayogi (Telugu Desam Party), Shashank Mani Tripathi, Bhubaneswar Kalita, Tejasvi Surya (Bharatiya Janata Party), Milind Deora (Shiv Sena), and former Ambassador Taranjit Singh Sandhu.
The delegation’s arrival in the U.S. coincides with a visit by a Pakistani team led by former Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari. Tharoor, however, expressed confidence that India’s message would resonate clearly despite any competing narratives.
Speaking earlier from Brazil, Tharoor emphasized the significance of the Washington visit, citing the influence of the U.S. and the prevalence of misinformation. “Washington is particularly important because it’s a global power with many competing narratives. We have work to do to clarify India’s position,” he said.
Tharoor dismissed recent claims by former U.S. President Donald Trump that his administration brokered a ceasefire between India and Pakistan. Indian officials maintain that it was Pakistan that requested a pause in military action following the Pahalgam terror attack.
Tharoor underscored the need to correct the record and push back against narratives that equate India’s defensive stance with aggressor behavior. “It’s hard to talk to someone who’s pointing a gun at your head. Dialogue isn’t possible with a state that sponsors terrorism,” he said.
He added that dismantling Pakistan’s terror infrastructure must be the first step before any credible engagement can occur. “Stop giving sanctuary to murderers. Arrest and prosecute them. Only then can we even begin to consider meaningful dialogue,” he said.
Tharoor concluded that the delegation’s mission was not only about diplomacy but also about ensuring that India’s position is understood and supported globally. “We’ve been able to build that sense of solidarity in every country we’ve visited,” he said. (Source: IANS)
