Operation Sindoor outreach: In a diplomatic success for India’s global effort to counter terrorism narratives, Colombia has officially withdrawn its earlier statement that offered condolences to Pakistan after India’s Operation Sindoor. The development took place after a meeting by an Indian multi-party delegation headed by MP Shashi Tharoor during their official tour to Bogota.
Colombia clarifies its stance after high level meet
On Friday, the Indian delegation met with Colombia’s Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, Rosa Yolanda Villavicencio, to discuss the issue. After the meeting, the Colombian government offered a clarification and confirmed the withdrawal of its earlier statement.
While talking to ANI, Villavicencio showed confidence in the information now available to the Colombian side related to the situation of Kashmir. She assured that the dialogue with India will continue, and the misunderstanding has been solved.
#WATCH | Colombia officially withdraws its earlier statement that it issued expressing condolences on the loss of lives in Pakistan after the Indian strikes; earlier, Shashi Tharoor, who is leading the all-party delegation, raised concern and said – we (India) were a little… pic.twitter.com/iVFmLUl1yP
— ANI (@ANI) May 30, 2025
Tharoor later mentioned. “The Vice Minister graciously confirmed that the statement we had raised concerns about has been withdrawn. She also conveyed that Colombia fully understands India’s position, which we deeply appreciate.”
Tharoor, who is leading India’s outreach initiative in the Americas, also tweeted about the meeting, mentioning, “I expressed India’s concerns regarding Colombia’s May 8 statement. The Minister assured us of its withdrawal and reaffirmed support for our position.”
Tharoor expressed India’s disappointment at Colombia’s condolences
Tharoor, while addressing the media on Thursday, expressed regret on Colombia’s earlier stance, which appeared to sympathise with Pakistan in the aftermath of Indian military action. They didn’t even acknowledge the lives that were lost in the Pahalgam terror attack. “We were disappointed that the Colombian government offered heartfelt condolences over casualties in Pakistan instead of expressing solidarity with the victims of terrorism in India,” he mentioned.
Restating India’s firm stand on terrorism, Tharoor stated, “There can be no normal equivalence between those who launch terrorist attacks and those who defend against them. We are exercising our legitimate rights to self-defence, and we are here to clarify misconceptions that may exist.”
(With inputs from ANI)