Colombia Withdraws Pro-Pakistan Remark After Tharoor Delegation Meets Officials
In a noteworthy diplomatic shift, Colombia has formally withdrawn a statement seen as favorable to Pakistan following a meeting with an Indian parliamentary delegation led by Congress MP Shashi Tharoor. The interaction took place during the Indian delegation’s recent diplomatic outreach in the United States. The earlier Colombian statement had reportedly equated India’s counter-terror operations with Pakistan’s position, prompting New Delhi to express its disappointment. The Indian delegation, engaging directly with Colombia’s senior vice minister for foreign affairs, succeeded in convincing Bogota to reassess and reverse its stance.
Shashi Tharoor announced the development, stating, “We met with the foreign ministry—the senior vice minister received us. We had some good news: They have withdrawn their statement that disappointed us earlier and will issue a statement of strong support for our position and understanding of our position.”
Tharoor Asserts India’s Right to Self-Defence
Tharoor also strongly defended India’s military response to terror attacks during his conversations with Colombian officials. Referring to the Pahalgam terror attack and India’s subsequent Operation Sindoor counterstrikes, Tharoor stressed, “There is no equivalence between those who attack our country and those who defend their own country.” The Indian delegation highlighted that the strike launched on May 7 was a legitimate act of self-defence under international law and in response to cross-border terrorism originating from Pakistani soil.
India’s objective, according to the delegation, was to correct any misconceptions and ensure partner nations view India’s actions through the lens of national security and sovereignty, not as an act of aggression.
Colombia Commits to New Statement Backing India
In a positive response, Colombian officials committed to issuing a fresh statement that better reflects India’s position. The move marks a diplomatic win for India, showcasing the impact of proactive engagement by lawmakers on the international stage. Colombia’s retraction and assurance of support are also being viewed as part of a broader recalibration by several countries that initially responded with ambiguous or neutral language after Operation Sindoor.
This development underscores the value of swift and targeted diplomacy in countering narratives that seek to undermine India’s sovereign right to defend itself. As global opinion continues to form around India’s counter-terror doctrine, such interventions help secure international backing and prevent hostile framing of defensive military actions.
