Panama City/New Delhi, May 31, 2025 — In a significant diplomatic breakthrough, senior Congress leader and MP Dr. Shashi Tharoor announced that Colombia has officially withdrawn its earlier statement of sympathy towards Pakistan in the wake of Operation Sindoor, India’s military response to the deadly Pahalgam terror attack on April 22.
Taking to social media on Friday, Tharoor shared details of his meeting with Rosa Yolanda Villavicencio, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of Colombia, and senior officials overseeing Asia-Pacific affairs. “I expressed India’s view of recent events and voiced disappointment at Colombia’s statement on 8 May conveying ‘heartfelt condolences’ to Pakistan,” Tharoor wrote. “The Minister assured me that the statement had been withdrawn and that our position was now properly understood and strongly supported.”
View this post on Instagram
This development comes as part of India’s ongoing global outreach following Operation Sindoor, which was launched in response to the Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 lives. India conducted precision strikes on nine terrorist camps across the Line of Control, alleging Pakistani support for the perpetrators. In response, the Government of India formed seven all-party delegations to present its stance internationally—one of which is being led by Tharoor.
Despite not being named in the Congress’s official list of nominees, Tharoor was appointed by the Government of India to lead this key delegation—an unusual but telling instance of cross-party unity in India’s foreign policy strategy.
In recent days, Tharoor’s delegation has visited multiple Latin American nations, including Panama, where he presented photographic evidence reportedly showing Pakistani army officers attending funerals of terrorists designated by the UN.
Colombia’s initial statement of condolence to Pakistan was seen in New Delhi as a diplomatic setback. However, Tharoor’s intervention appears to have reversed the narrative. Sources familiar with the matter confirm that the Colombian Foreign Ministry has clarified its position and now aligns more closely with India’s perspective on the events following Operation Sindoor.
This successful engagement is being seen in diplomatic circles as a testament to India’s resolve to counter global misinformation and ensure accurate representation of its counter-terrorism actions. Tharoor’s role has received widespread appreciation, especially given his experience in international diplomacy as a former Under-Secretary-General at the United Nations.
With more international meetings scheduled, India’s diplomatic offensive continues as it seeks global support for its fight against cross-border terrorism and broader recognition of its right to self-defense.
