Disappointed by Colombia's Reaction, Tharoor Asserts No Parity Between Terrorists and Victims

By A Staff Reporter

Bogotá, Colombia — Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, currently leading a multi-party parliamentary delegation on a five-nation diplomatic tour, has expressed disappointment over a recent condolence message issued by the Colombian government for casualties in Pakistan following India's Operation Sindoor.

Speaking at a press conference in Bogotá, Tharoor asserted that such messages ignore the stark difference between acts of terror and a nation's right to defend itself. “We were a little disappointed in the reaction of the Colombian government, which apparently expressed heartfelt condolences on the loss of lives in Pakistan after the Indian strikes, rather than sympathising with the victims of terrorism,” said Tharoor.

The Congress MP stressed that the Indian military action was a measured response to the recent Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu & Kashmir, in which 26 civilians lost their lives. The attack was claimed by The Resistance Front, an offshoot of Pakistan-based terrorist organisation Lashkar-e-Taiba.

“We will say to our friends in Colombia: there can be no equivalence between those who dispatch terrorists and those who resist them. There can be no equivalence between attackers and defenders,” Tharoor added firmly.

He drew a parallel with Colombia’s own struggles against terrorism, saying both nations share a long history of facing insurgent threats. “Just as Colombia has endured many terror attacks, so have we in India. For nearly four decades, we've dealt with cross-border terrorism, mostly emanating from Pakistan,” he said.

The MP also underlined that India's strikes were conducted as an act of legitimate self-defence under international law, targeting only terror infrastructure without harming civilians or military assets.

“We’re here to clarify and ensure there's no misunderstanding. If there was any misjudgment in the initial response, we’re open to engaging and discussing the full context,” he stated.

Tharoor concluded by calling on the global community to stand against nations that provide sanctuary to terror groups. “We certainly hope that other governments will tell those who give safe haven and protection to terrorists to stop doing so. That would be very helpful—within the UN Security Council or outside it.”