In a significant diplomatic development, Colombia has decided to withdraw its earlier statement that expressed condolences for casualties in Pakistan during India’s counter-terror operation, Operation Sindoor, and instead will issue a statement supporting New Delhi’s stance on terrorism and self-defence. This announcement came during the Indian all-party delegation’s visit to Colombia, led by Congress MP Shashi Tharoor.
The reversal comes after a series of high-level engagements between the Indian delegation and Colombian officials, culminating in a formal commitment from Bogotá to align more closely with India’s position on counter-terrorism actions. The visit also included a symbolic tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at Tadeo Lozano University, underscoring the delegation’s broader diplomatic outreach.
India’s Position Clarified
Shashi Tharoor, speaking to the media after meetings with Colombian officials, confirmed that Bogotá had reviewed its earlier position and agreed to issue a new statement reflecting a deeper understanding of India’s rationale behind Operation Sindoor.
“We met with the Foreign Ministry, and the Senior Vice Minister received us. They have withdrawn their earlier statement that disappointed us. They will issue a statement of strong support for our position and a clear understanding of it,” Tharoor stated. Standing before a bust of Mahatma Gandhi on the university campus, he emphasized that India’s action was a legitimate exercise of self-defence in response to the Pahalgam terror attack.
A day earlier, Tharoor had publicly criticized Colombia’s condolence message for the casualties in Pakistan, pointing out that equating terrorists with victims of terrorism distorts international understanding of such conflicts.
Behind-the-Scenes Diplomacy
A considerable part of Colombia’s turnaround was attributed to a detailed briefing by the Indian delegation. Taranjit Singh Sandhu, a senior BJP leader and former Indian Ambassador to the United States, explained that factual clarifications played a critical role in shifting Colombian perceptions.
“This morning we had a detailed interaction with the acting Foreign Minister,” Sandhu said. “Our team explained the timeline and the nuances that may have been overlooked initially. They have now promised clarity on the issue of terrorism. The importance of Colombia also lies in the fact that it will soon become a member of the United Nations Security Council.”
The diplomatic discussions appear to have conveyed India’s concerns effectively, especially regarding how global narratives around terrorism need to differentiate between state-sponsored acts of violence and justified defensive responses.
Colombia’s Changing Lens on Terrorism
Adding further context, BJP MP Shashank Mani pointed out that Colombia’s own experience with terrorism helped foster empathy with India’s stance. For decades, Colombia was gripped by guerrilla warfare and insurgencies, much like the security challenges faced by India in Jammu and Kashmir.
“Terrorism once tore Colombia apart, but after a prolonged and painful process, it has now emerged as a peaceful nation,” said Mani. “They understand the cost of peace and the necessity of resolute action against terrorism. That’s the message we brought: that India seeks peace but will respond with determination to any act of terror.”
Operation Sindoor and the Diplomatic Fallout
Operation Sindoor was launched by India following the deadly Pahalgam terror attack, in which multiple civilians and security personnel lost their lives. The Indian military targeted camps reportedly harbouring militants across the Line of Control (LoC). The operation led to casualties within Pakistan’s territory, prompting a condolence message from Colombia that India perceived as lacking nuance.
That message triggered diplomatic discomfort in New Delhi, especially given the growing strategic engagement between India and Latin American nations. Colombian statements were seen by Indian officials as creating a false parity between terrorists and their victims. The all-party delegation’s swift outreach seems to have reversed the tide.
Tharoor earlier emphasized, “There can be no equivalence between those who dispatch terrorists and those who resist them. We are only exercising our right to self-defence. If there is any misunderstanding on this core issue, we are here to clarify.”
Colombia’s withdrawal of its initial message and the forthcoming statement supporting India’s stance is more than symbolic. The country is set to join the UN Security Council as a non-permanent member, which will give its voice greater weight in international decision-making forums. For New Delhi, winning Bogotá’s support ensures that its narrative on counter-terrorism finds resonance beyond its immediate neighbourhood.
Latin America has traditionally maintained a non-aligned posture on South Asian conflicts, but India’s recent diplomatic initiatives — including the ongoing all-party delegation tour — appear to be recalibrating that dynamic.
Focus Now Shifts to Brazil and the US
Following the Colombia leg, the all-party delegation is scheduled to travel to Brazil and the United States. The group aims to build broader international support for India’s anti-terrorism efforts and policy on cross-border strikes.
With Colombia now onboard, Indian officials hope the groundwork laid here will facilitate smoother dialogues in Brasilia and Washington, especially on matters where India seeks a global consensus on terrorism definitions and state responsibility.
The delegation comprises leaders from across political parties, demonstrating a unified stance on national security. This bipartisan presence has strengthened India’s case abroad, projecting domestic political consensus on key foreign policy issues.
The reversal of Colombia’s stance illustrates the effectiveness of direct diplomatic engagement and the importance of clear communication in international relations. For India, this marks a small but meaningful victory in shaping global narratives on terrorism. It also underscores the increasing relevance of outreach to Latin American nations at a time when geopolitical alignments are shifting.
As the delegation continues its journey through the Americas, it carries with it a message of resolute action against terrorism, balanced by a commitment to peace. The diplomatic win in Bogotá sets a strong precedent for what India hopes to achieve in Brazil and the United States — global recognition of its security challenges and strategic autonomy in addressing them.
