Tharoor Claims India Won Global Narrative on Operation Sindoor
During an official visit to the United States, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor claimed that India has effectively won the global narrative battle following Operation Sindoor, citing a more coherent and impactful diplomatic outreach compared to Pakistan. The Indian delegation, led by Tharoor and comprising members from across party lines, engaged with senior American officials, lawmakers, and strategic think tanks to convey India’s stance following the cross-border operation conducted in response to the Pahalgam terror attack.
Referring to a key meeting with U.S. Vice President JD Vance, Tharoor noted that Washington clearly understood India’s strategic concerns. “JD Vance understood there could be no mediation between India and Pakistan, as it would imply an equivalence between the two countries,” he said, adding that this recognition validated India’s long-standing opposition to third-party mediation in bilateral matters with Pakistan.
Operation Sindoor: Strengthening India’s Diplomatic Footing
Operation Sindoor, launched in the aftermath of the Pahalgam attack that claimed 26 Indian lives, aimed to dismantle terror infrastructure across the Line of Control. The Indian Air Force reportedly targeted camps in both Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and mainland Pakistan without triggering a broader conflict. The swift, precise nature of the operation coupled with India’s immediate diplomatic engagement ensured that global perception remained favorable to New Delhi.
Tharoor, despite being from the opposition, was firm in showcasing India’s national interest above politics. He emphasized that the delegation functioned with unity, and India’s position was presented without dilution across all meetings. While the Pakistani delegation reportedly publicized their U.S. interactions on social media, Tharoor underlined the absence of corresponding endorsements or photo-ops from U.S. officials, suggesting a lack of credibility or enthusiasm from Washington towards Islamabad’s pitch.
India-Pakistan Equivalence Firmly Rejected
The delegation also used the opportunity to underline the false equivalence often drawn between India and Pakistan in international forums. Tharoor’s point that there can be no equivalence struck a chord with American policymakers. According to him, U.S. officials acknowledged the asymmetric nature of the India-Pakistan dynamic, particularly on issues of cross-border terrorism and security.
The visit also included a stop at the 9/11 Memorial in New York, symbolizing India’s solidarity with global victims of terrorism. Tharoor stressed that terrorism is a global scourge and that India’s actions should be seen within that larger context of defending peace and sovereignty.
While there was some noise back home regarding Tharoor’s selection to lead the mission, he remained focused on the task, stating that domestic political issues would be addressed later. “We were not there as party representatives, we were there as Indians,” he remarked in response to internal party criticism.
With a strategically timed operation and a diplomatically agile response, India appears to have moved ahead of Pakistan in global perception. As Tharoor put it, “India won the narrative.”
