Shashi Tharoor Leads All-Party Delegation in Guyana, Condemns Pahalgam Terror Attack with ‘Measured’ Response

An all-party delegation, headed by Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, met with the Speaker of Guyana’s National Assembly to convey India’s firm stand against terrorism.

Tharoor later addressed the Pahalgam terror attack, stating, “Our government gave such a response, but it did so in a very calibrated, measured, precise manner.”

India’s Message of Peace with Strength

While speaking to the media in Georgetown, Tharoor emphasized India’s preference for peaceful coexistence, saying, “We want to remain in peace with strength, as your President said yesterday, not out of fear. We are not afraid that these people would hit us again. If they hit us again, they are going to get it back worse.”

Referring to the April 22 Pahalgam terrorist attack, Tharoor highlighted the perpetrators’ failed attempt to provoke communal tensions in India between Hindus and Muslims. He pointed out, “All communities rallied around in a very united manner.”

Symbolism in Military Briefings

Tharoor also mentioned the inclusivity shown by the Indian military during the four-day conflict.

“Two of the military officers who were doing the briefings were women officers, and one of them was a Muslim, which sent a clear message that this is not about Hindu-Muslim; this is about terrorism.”

Guyana’s Parliamentary Speaker Manzoor Nadir expressed his nation’s respect for India, acknowledging its democratic values and its role in supporting the Global South.

Operation Sindoor: A Global Outreach Initiative

After launching Operation Sindoor on May 7, the Indian government deployed seven all-party delegations to communicate to other nations the extent of Pakistan’s involvement in terrorism and India’s zero-tolerance stance.

Operation Sindoor was initiated in response to the brutal April 22 Pahalgam attack, which claimed 26 lives.

Congress MP Tharoor, representing one of the delegations, underscored from Panama City that all political parties in India stand “united in national purpose.”

India’s Strike Following Pakistan’s Inaction

During Tharoor added that the outreach mission reflects a rare political consensus in India. “We all come from different political backgrounds and different parts of India, but we are united in national purpose.”

Persistent Threat from Pakistan-Sponsored Terrorism

Expressing concern over ongoing threats, Tharoor remarked, “And if there is another terrorist incident tomorrow, we believe that we will not have to come back here; we will have your understanding in advance.”

Tharoor Urges Panama to Apply Pressure

Speaking from the Indian embassy in Panama, Tharoor appealed for international support. “Please put pressure on the perpetrators to actually identify and prosecute the criminals.”

He pointed out that India has endured terrorism since the first attacks in Kashmir in 1989, with countless civilian casualties over the decades.

India’s Stance on Kashmir

Tharoor stated that the motivation behind such attacks is a desire by terrorists and Pakistan to claim the territory of Kashmir. “They have chosen repeatedly to attack us because they believe that they want territory which they do not control, which we control,” he said.

He affirmed India’s sovereignty, saying, “We are not going to give it to them even if we have to pay the price that we have repeatedly been paid.”

India’s Military Response to Terrorism

Sending a clear warning to terrorists, Tharoor declared, “Let there be no doubt.” He explained that India breached the Line of Control during previous operations, including the Uri strike and Pulwama response.

“This time, we crossed not only the Line of Control but also the international border… We have struck at the Punjabi heartland of Pakistan by hitting terror bases, training centres, terror headquarters in nine places.”

Panama Expresses Solidarity with India

Following discussions, Panama Assembly President Dana Castaneda said, “Panama wants to stand with India in this campaign for peace, and we hope that we can defeat terrorism.”

Details of Operation Sindoor

Operation Sindoor targeted nine terror infrastructures linked to groups like Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Taiba in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. The Indian military described the mission as “focused, measured and non-escalatory.”

All-Party Delegation Composition

The delegation led by Shashi Tharoor includes Sarfaraz Ahmad (JMM), Tejasvi Surya (BJP), Gants Harish Madhur Balayogi (TDP), Shashank Mani Tripathi (BJP), Bhubaneswar Kalita (BJP), Milind Deora (Shiv Sena), and Taranjit Sandhu, India’s former Ambassador to the US. Their aim is to communicate India’s united message against terrorism and its commitment to peace and security.