There is a complete lack of sympathy for Pakistan and overwhelming support for India's stance on cross-border terrorism.
Washington/New Delhi: Congress leader Shashi Tharoor has asserted that India has received “total support and solidarity” from lawmakers across the world in fighting terrorism. The MP led an all-party delegation to the US for India’s global outreach campaign of Operation Sindoor and the fight against Pakistan-sponsored cross-border terrorism. He also met Vice President JD Vance.
“We had comprehensive discussions covering a wide array of critical issues, from counter-terrorism efforts to enhancing technological cooperation. A truly constructive and productive exchange for strengthening India-US strategic partnership, with a great meeting of minds,” said Tharoor in a post on X.
The Indian all-party parliamentary delegation stated that its interactions in several countries have clearly revealed a complete lack of sympathy for Pakistan and overwhelming support for India's stance on cross-border terrorism.
Speaking at a press conference, Tharoor said, "What we are seeking to do in every country is to explain our version of events, our experience of the last few weeks, to seek the solidarity and understanding of those we meet and speak to."
"I'm very pleased to say that so far, our batting average is over 100 -- in other words, every single person we have met so far has immediately not only condemned resolutely the terrorist attack upon India and expressed their outrage and their sympathy, but they have also explicitly endorsed India's right to defend itself against terrorism, and this kind of understanding has been most welcome."
Tharoor described the Pahalgam terror attack as an egregious disruption during a time of economic and social optimism in Kashmir. He also explained India's calibrated military response and eventual ceasefire.
On Pakistan's global credibility, Tharoor was clear and questioned, "Where was Osama bin Laden? Who did Mumbai, who is conducting these other attacks, which agencies, and which terrorist organizations and individuals are listed in the UN committee? All of this is incontrovertible stuff, and so they know."
Former Indian Ambassador to the US, Taranjit Singh Sandhu, who accompanied the delegation, also reiterated the global implications of India's fight.
Pak PM seeks Trump’s mediation
Addressing an event at the US Embassy in Islamabad, Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif praised Donald Trump for his role in helping de-escalate the situation with India, a claim New Delhi has publicly denied. He also urged Washington to facilitate a comprehensive dialogue between the two nuclear neighbors.
The PM was repeating the plea made by former foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, who had claimed that Trump "deserves credit" for helping facilitate the cessation of hostilities between the two nations.
"On 10 different occasions, he (Trump) has taken credit for facilitating the ceasefire between India and Pakistan – and rightly so. He deserves that credit because it was his efforts that helped make the ceasefire possible. So, if the US is willing to help Pakistan in maintaining this ceasefire, it is reasonable to expect that an American role in arranging a comprehensive dialogue would also be beneficial for us," Bhutto had said.
Trump, Putin discuss India-Pak tensions
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Trump spoke on the phone and discussed several global issues, including the conflict between India and Pakistan, Kremlin Aide Yury Ushakov said during a briefing.
"They also touched upon the Middle East and the armed conflict between India and Pakistan, which was stopped with the personal participation of President Trump," Ushakov said, as reported by the Russian news agency TASS. However, Yury Ushakov didn't reveal the exact details during the briefing.
