Colombia has retracted an earlier statement expressing condolences to Pakistan over casualties suffered during India&rsquo;s military operations launched in retaliation for the Pahalgam terror attack. The reversal came after a visit by an Indian parliamentary delegation, which conveyed India&rsquo;s position on terrorism and the circumstances that prompted the strikes.
The nine-member delegation, led by Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, engaged in a series of meetings with senior Colombian officials over the past two days. During these discussions, the delegation outlined India&rsquo;s zero-tolerance approach to terrorism and explained the rationale behind its targeted military response on Pakistani territory following the Pahalgam incident.
Tharoor, in a post shared on social media, said, &ldquo;Began today with an excellent meeting with the Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of Colombia, Rosa Yolanda Villavicencio, and her senior colleagues dealing with the Asia-Pacific. I expressed India's view of recent events and voiced disappointment at Colombia's statement on May 8 conveying 'heartfelt condolences' to Pakistan. The Minister assured me that the statement had been withdrawn and that our position was now properly understood and strongly supported.&rdquo;
The Colombian government had initially issued a message offering condolences to Pakistan for loss of life during India&rsquo;s Operation Sindoor. Indian officials viewed this as overlooking the context of Pakistan&rsquo;s involvement in terrorism and India&rsquo;s sovereign right to defend itself.
Speaking at a media interaction in Bogot&aacute; on Thursday, Tharoor reiterated his disappointment with the earlier Colombian message, stating that there should be no moral equivalence between nations defending themselves and those responsible for dispatching terrorists.&nbsp;
He emphasised that India had acted in self-defence and presented information linking the Pahalgam attack to terror groups operating out of Pakistan. He also noted that Pakistani authorities, including military and police personnel, had participated in the funerals of the militants involved, underscoring what he described as collusion between the state and terror organisations.
India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7, conducting precision airstrikes on nine identified terrorist infrastructures in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir in response to the Pahalgam attack, which resulted in the deaths of 26 civilians. On May 8-10, Pakistan attempted to retaliate by targeting Indian military sites. India responded forcefully, causing substantial damage to Pakistani military facilities, including airbases, radar installations, command centres, and air defence systems.
On May 10, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri announced that India and Pakistan had agreed to halt all hostilities across land, air, and sea effective immediately.
As part of their diplomatic engagement in Colombia, the Indian delegation also met with Alejandro Toro, President of the Second Commission of the Chamber of Representatives&mdash;Colombia&rsquo;s equivalent of India&rsquo;s parliamentary foreign affairs committee&mdash;and Jaime Raul Salamanca, President of the Chamber of Representatives, which corresponds to the Lok Sabha Speaker.&nbsp;
Tharoor reported that &ldquo;both dignitaries expressed full understanding of our position and voiced strong support for India's right to defend itself, its territory and its sovereignty.&rdquo;
In addition, the delegation held discussions with members of the Colombia Council for International Relations. The Colombian officials were briefed extensively on Pakistan&rsquo;s continued support for cross-border terrorism and the strategic imperatives behind India&rsquo;s recent military action.
The visit to Colombia is part of a broader diplomatic effort by India, which has sent delegations to 33 global capitals to provide clarity on the situation and counter Pakistan&rsquo;s narrative following the Pahalgam attack. Prior to Colombia, the delegation visited Guyana and Panama. The members include Tejasvi Surya and Bhubaneswar Kalita of the BJP, Milind Deora of the Shiv Sena, Shambhavi of the Lok Janshakti Party, GM Harish Balayogi of the Telugu Desam Party, and former Indian ambassador to the United States, Taranjit Singh Sandhu.
Following their meetings in Bogot&aacute;, the delegation will proceed to Brazil, with the United States scheduled as the final destination in their five-country diplomatic outreach.
&nbsp;
(With inputs from agencies)
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Colombia retracts condolences to Pakistan after Indian MPs clarify Operation Sindoor and Pahalgam attack context.

Colombia Withdraws Condolences After India’s Protest

Colombia retracts condolences to Pakistan after Indian MPs clarify Operation Sindoor and Pahalgam attack context.

May 31, 2025 | 18:29 IST