In a major diplomatic development, Colombia has officially withdrawn a controversial statement that expressed sympathy with Pakistan over the loss of lives following India's counter-terrorism operation ‘Operation Sindoor’, a move that had sparked deep disappointment in New Delhi. The original Colombian statement was perceived as being tone-deaf to the larger issue of cross-border terrorism affecting India and the tragic consequences of the Pahalgam terror attack, which occurred just days earlier.

The Indian delegation, led by Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, made a strong case in Bogotá during its diplomatic outreach across Latin America. Tharoor, representing a multi-party parliamentary delegation, took the opportunity during a scheduled visit to Colombia to raise India's objection to the statement and communicate the importance of distinguishing between victims of terrorism and its perpetrators.

“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,” Tharoor said at a press conference in Bogotá, Colombia’s capital.

Operation Sindoor and the Context

India’s Operation Sindoor was a targeted military response to a string of terrorist activities, including a deadly attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which claimed the lives of several civilians and security personnel. Following India’s strike on identified terrorist infrastructure believed to be backed by Pakistan, several nations reacted, but Colombia’s initial response of sympathy towards Pakistan was seen as misplaced and diplomatically insensitive.

The Colombian government’s earlier statement, issued on May 8, 2025, offered "heartfelt condolences to Pakistan", which India interpreted as misaligned with international norms that distinguish between state responses to terror and the acts of terrorism themselves.

The backlash from New Delhi came quickly. Indian diplomats, supported by the visiting all-party delegation, ensured that the Colombian government was apprised of India’s position and the true nature of the conflict.

Successful Diplomatic Engagement

Following a series of high-level engagements, including meetings with Colombia’s Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, Rosa Yolanda Villavicencio, and Alejandro Toro, President of the Second Commission of the Chamber of Representatives, the Colombian government assured India that the statement had been officially withdrawn.

Tharoor shared the update with Indian media and posted on social media platform X (formerly Twitter):

“Began today with an excellent meeting with the Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of Colombia... I expressed India’s view of recent events and voiced disappointment at Colombia’s statement on May 8... The Minister assured me that the statement had been withdrawn and that our position was now properly understood and strongly supported.”

Vice Minister Villavicencio, responding to India’s concerns, acknowledged the clarity brought forward by the Indian delegation and reiterated Colombia’s commitment to stand against terrorism in all its forms.

“We are very confident with the explanation that we received today and the detailed information that we now have regarding the real situation, the conflict, and what happened in Kashmir,” she said.

A Win for India’s Global Anti-Terror Narrative

The withdrawal of the Colombian statement is seen as a notable success in India’s larger diplomatic campaign to build a coalition of support against terrorism and delegitimise efforts to equate state action against terror outfits with civilian casualties in sponsoring states.

India has long maintained that there can be no equivalence between the victims of terrorism and those who harbor or support terrorists. This position was firmly reinforced by Tharoor, who emphasized:

“There is no equivalence possible between terrorists on the one hand and innocent civilians on the other. There is no equivalence between those who attack our country and those who defend their own.”

This sentiment found resonance in Bogotá, as Colombian lawmakers expressed their solidarity with India and its sovereign right to defend itself from terror threats emanating from across its borders.

India’s Broader Diplomatic Tour

The stop in Colombia forms part of a wider diplomatic tour across Latin America by the Indian parliamentary delegation. The visit, which began with stops in Panama and Guyana, aims to expand India’s global partnerships, assert its zero-tolerance stance on terrorism, and correct misinformation or misinterpretation of events related to the Kashmir conflict.

The delegation is scheduled to travel to Brazil and the United States following Colombia, with strategic dialogues planned around trade, security, global peace, and terrorism-related cooperation.

This tour is aligned with India’s recent foreign policy trajectory, which focuses on global counter-terrorism consensus, strengthening South-South cooperation, and redefining its global image as a proactive and peaceful democracy defending its citizens and borders.

Reactions Back Home

In India, the response has been positive, with several senior politicians across party lines welcoming the diplomatic success. Social media platforms were abuzz with praise for Tharoor and the delegation’s articulate handling of the sensitive issue.

Political observers noted that India’s strong and well-coordinated diplomatic protest not only rectified the narrative in Colombia but also sent a strong message globally: any expression of sympathy that fails to acknowledge India’s sacrifices in the fight against terror will be diplomatically contested.

Implications for India-Colombia Relations

The incident, though brief, also opened the door for deeper bilateral cooperation. Officials from both countries reportedly discussed broader areas of collaboration in education, culture, and climate diplomacy, laying the groundwork for more constructive relations based on mutual respect and shared democratic values.

With Colombia now aligned with India's viewpoint, experts believe the episode could even strengthen India’s influence in Latin America, where it has traditionally had limited presence compared to Western powers.

Conclusion

The withdrawal of Colombia’s statement sympathising with Pakistan marks a strategic diplomatic win for India, underlining the effectiveness of its proactive outreach and the importance of engaging with the global South. By correcting the narrative and ensuring international clarity on the distinction between terrorism and counter-terror operations, India has once again reaffirmed its moral and strategic leadership on the global stage.

As India continues its journey towards becoming a leading voice against global terrorism, this episode underscores the power of dialogue, diplomacy, and clarity of principle—tools that are as potent as any military action in protecting national interests and promoting global peace.

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