KKN Gurugram Desk | In a significant diplomatic development, the South American nation of Colombia has officially withdrawn a statement that earlier expressed sympathy towards Pakistan in response to events following India’s Operation Sindoor.
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This decision came within 48 hours of a strong protest by senior Indian Congress MP and former diplomat Dr. Shashi Tharoor, who is currently leading an all-party parliamentary delegation on a multi-nation visit to the Americas.
Background: What Triggered the Diplomatic Discomfort
Following the Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu & Kashmir, India launched a retaliatory operation named Operation Sindoor. In the wake of this, Colombia had issued a statement condemning the loss of life in Pakistan, but failed to address the victims of the terror attack in India.
This asymmetrical response from Colombia was flagged by Dr. Tharoor during a press conference in Bogota, where he publicly criticized the lack of balance in Colombia’s position.
Tharoor’s Statement in Bogota: No Equivalence Between Victim and Aggressor
Speaking firmly on India’s behalf, Shashi Tharoor said:
“We are disappointed by the Colombian government’s reaction, which expressed deep sympathy for those who lost their lives in Pakistan following India’s defensive operations but failed to mention the victims of terrorism in India.
There can be no equivalence between those who perpetrate terror and those who defend against it. If any misunderstanding exists, we are here to clarify it.”
His statement drew immediate attention in Colombian political circles and prompted diplomatic consultations between the Indian delegation and the Colombian foreign ministry.
Meeting with Colombia’s Vice Foreign Minister: India’s Message Delivered
The Indian delegation later met with Colombia’s Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, Rosa Yolanda Villavicencio, along with senior officials handling Asia-Pacific affairs.
During the meeting, the Indian side:
Expressed deep dissatisfaction over the earlier Colombian statement
Reiterated India’s zero-tolerance policy on terrorism
Clarified the context of Operation Sindoor as a defensive, not aggressive, military response
In a post-meeting interaction with ANI, Tharoor confirmed:
“The Colombian government has withdrawn the earlier statement. They now fully understand and support India’s position. We appreciate their cordiality and openness in addressing our concerns.”
Tharoor Confirms Withdrawal on Social Media
Dr. Tharoor took to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to share details of the diplomatic progress:
“This morning began with a productive meeting with Colombia’s Vice Foreign Minister Rosa Yolanda Villavicencio and her senior Asia-Pacific officials.
I conveyed India’s disappointment over the 8 May statement expressing ‘deep sympathy’ for Pakistan.
The Minister confirmed that the statement has been withdrawn, and Colombia now fully understands and supports India’s stance.”
India’s Diplomatic Strategy: Reinforcing Zero Tolerance on Terror
This episode highlights India’s firm approach on the global stage, emphasizing that there can be no moral equivalence between terrorism and counter-terror operations. Over the past few years, India has consistently:
Called out global sympathy for Pakistan that overlooks the source of terrorism
Sought to isolate Pakistan diplomatically over its failure to curb terror activities
Used bilateral and multilateral platforms to emphasize its stance
Delegation’s Americas Tour: A Broader Strategic Vision
The current diplomatic delegation, led by Shashi Tharoor, includes representatives from multiple Indian political parties. Their itinerary includes:
Panama and Guyana (completed)
Colombia (ongoing)
Next stops: Brazil and the United States
The aim of the tour is to:
Strengthen India’s diplomatic ties across Latin America
Promote India’s counter-terrorism narrative internationally
Counter pro-Pakistan narratives in foreign policy conversations
Why Colombia’s Position Matters
Though geographically distant, Colombia’s alignment with India or Pakistan carries symbolic value. Latin America is an emerging region in global diplomacy, and India’s engagement here is part of its broader Global South leadership strategy.
By persuading Colombia to revise its statement:
India has sent a strong signal globally
Demonstrated diplomatic agility and effectiveness
Reinforced the moral argument against sympathizing with state-backed terrorism
Summary: What Changed and Why It Matters
| Event | Impact |
|---|---|
| Colombia expressed sympathy for Pakistan | Ignited diplomatic concern in India |
| Shashi Tharoor raised strong objection | Drew attention to bias and asymmetry in Colombia’s stance |
| Colombian Vice Minister met delegation | Admitted misunderstanding and agreed to withdraw statement |
| Statement retracted within 48 hours | Victory for Indian diplomacy and zero-tolerance on terror |
India’s Foreign Policy Wins Another Round
This swift correction by Colombia is being seen as:
A testament to India’s improved global influence
A personal diplomatic success for Shashi Tharoor, who has long advocated India’s global positioning as a moral force
A reflection of the effectiveness of parliamentary diplomacy, where multi-party consensus plays a role in strategic outreach
Related Developments and Responses
After visiting Ground Zero (9/11 Memorial) in the U.S., Tharoor remarked, “India will never back down in its fight against evil forces.”
During the Colombia leg of the trip, Tharoor reiterated: “India and Pakistan are not equals. One defends, the other instigates.”
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