India is focused on peace, development, and global cooperation, said Shashi Tharoor, warning Pakistan against using terrorism to derail progress. During a diplomatic tour across the Americas, India emphasized its zero-tolerance stance on terror while showcasing unity, democracy, and responsible global leadership.
A parliamentary delegation from India, led by senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor, conveyed a strong and clear message: India is focused on growth, development, and international cooperation, and will not allow terrorism—particularly from Pakistan—to derail its progress.
During their visits to countries including the United States, Guyana, Colombia, and Panama, the Indian delegation engaged with lawmakers, think tanks, media, and diaspora groups, presenting India’s position as a peace-loving, democratic nation committed to economic growth while taking a firm stance against terrorism.
Tharoor emphasized at a think tank discussion that India’s focus is entirely on development. “There is this tremendous sense of interest in India, faith that India is heading in the right direction, and appreciation for the fact that even on the terrorism issue, we behave with restraint and responsibility,” he said.
However, he issued a clear warning that if Pakistan continues its attempts to disrupt India’s peace and development through acts of terrorism, India will respond decisively. “If Pakistan were to hit India through terrorism hoping to interrupt its development agenda, they will be hit back. We will hit back very hard,” Tharoor stated, reinforcing India’s zero-tolerance policy.
He dismissed Pakistan’s repeated reference to nuclear threats as baseless. Referring to Operation Sindoor, Tharoor said the operation was deliberately measured and remained far from any nuclear brinkmanship. The operation notably targeted Abdul Rauf Azhar, a top Jaish-e-Mohammed leader implicated in the kidnapping and beheading of American journalist Daniel Pearl.
Tejasvi Surya, another member of the delegation, underlined the growing India-US cooperation in the fight against terrorism. “India and the US are together in this fight against terror because it will impact both our nations,” he said. “When India hits [terrorists], we are doing the job of the United States as well.”
Shashank Mani Tripathi, also part of the team, highlighted the critical role of shared democratic values in forging stronger international coalitions against terrorism. He pointed out that India’s democracy was on full display during the delegation’s mission, as representatives from across political parties—ruling and opposition—united for a common cause.
Tharoor noted that international counterparts were struck by the unity and seriousness with which India was approaching global diplomacy and security. “There was total agreement with India’s zero tolerance for terrorism and understanding of the rationale for Operation Sindoor,” he explained.
Yet, questions occasionally surfaced about why India was not pursuing dialogue with Pakistan. To this, Tharoor offered a candid explanation: “We’re always willing to talk. We can talk to them in any language they want, but they prefer the language of force. And this is why we had to reply in that language.”
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He added that once India’s position was explained—that no dialogue can proceed under the threat of terrorism and there can be no equivalence between terrorist perpetrators and their victims—there was “full agreement” from the international community. “Absolutely nobody, and I do not exclude any one of the states, has in any way demurred,” he said.
The delegation also engaged in extensive meetings in Washington, DC, with U.S. Vice President JD Vance, members of Congress, media representatives, and Indian-American community leaders. This visit marked a significant step in reinforcing India’s global image as a peaceful yet resolute democracy that will not compromise on security.
The delegation comprised a diverse representation from India’s political landscape, including Shambhavi of the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), Sarfaraz Ahmad of the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha, Milind Murli Deora of the Shiv Sena, Bhubaneswar Kalita of the BJP, and GM Harish Balayogi of the Telugu Desam Party, underlining India’s bipartisan unity on national security issues.
