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“Terrorism is a shared problem”: India Sends a Firm Global Message Following Pahalgam Attack

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“Terrorism is a shared problem”: India Sends a Firm Global Message Following Pahalgam Attack

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, currently leading a high-powered all-party delegation abroad, has reiterated India’s unequivocal message to the world in the wake of the brutal Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 lives. From the United States to Guyana, Tharoor has underscored that India will not tolerate cross-border terrorism and will respond with precision and resolve. He emphasized that terrorism is not a regional issue, but a global scourge that must be countered collectively.

Addressing the Indian diaspora at the Indian Consulate in the US, Tharoor reflected on the symbolic visit of the delegation to the 9/11 Memorial, drawing parallels between the United States’ and India’s shared experience with terror. Calling for global unity, he said, “We came as a reminder that terrorism is a shared problem. We are here out of solidarity with victims everywhere. This is a global scourge, and we must all fight it unitedly.”

India’s Calibrated Response to the Pahalgam Terror Attack

Referring to the heinous nature of the Pahalgam incident, Tharoor highlighted that the attackers were targeting victims based on religious identity, with a clear intent to trigger communal unrest across India. He noted the nation’s response was one of solidarity, where political, religious, and civilian voices from Jammu and Kashmir to the rest of the country united against terror.

Within an hour of the attack, the Resistance Front, a known proxy of the banned Lashkar-e-Taiba, claimed responsibility. Tharoor criticized Pakistan’s continued pattern of denial and highlighted how, with China’s support, Pakistan succeeded in having references to the Resistance Front removed from a proposed UN Security Council statement. Despite this, India maintained its composure and chose to retaliate smartly, not recklessly.

Tharoor stated, “I don’t work for the government. I speak as an opposition MP, but I called for smart and firm retaliation. That is exactly what happened.” He revealed that Indian forces targeted nine specific terror bases and launchpads in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. The targets included the Lashkar-e-Taiba’s base in Muridke and Jaish-e-Mohammad’s headquarters in Bahawalpur. He described the strikes as “precise and calculated” — not a prelude to war but a necessary act of retribution to convey that terrorism would not go unanswered.

Operation Sindoor: A Defining Moment in India’s Counter-Terror Doctrine

The delegation has also been briefing international leaders on Operation Sindoor — India’s most recent counter-terror operation. This strategic campaign saw the destruction of key terror infrastructure across the border, including command centers and air bases. The Indian armed forces not only neutralized terrorist networks but also thwarted retaliatory attempts by Pakistan targeting both civilian and military installations in India.

Andhra Pradesh BJP President and delegation member Daggubati Purandeswari described Operation Sindoor as a “new normal” in India’s approach. She declared that the era of impunity for cross-border terrorism was over. “There will be a price to pay, and that price has been going up systematically,” she said, underscoring that national security is non-negotiable.

India’s Diplomatic Drive Garners Global Support

The all-party delegation has so far traveled to the US, Guyana, and France, and will continue their diplomatic mission in the UK, Germany, the European Union, Italy, and Denmark before returning to India on June 8. The team comprises MPs from multiple political parties, including the BJP, Congress, Shiv Sena, Lok Janshakti Party, Telugu Desam Party, Jharkhand Mukti Morcha, and also includes former Indian Ambassador to the US, Taranjit Singh Sandhu.

In Guyana, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo and Prime Minister Mark Phillips extended their full support to India’s fight against terrorism. Tharoor reiterated in Georgetown that India had reached a point of “resolved determination” and would never allow terrorists or their state sponsors to act with impunity. He also urged the Indian diaspora to stand united with the motherland in its unyielding commitment to eliminating terrorism from its soil.

Tharoor concluded by emphasizing that India’s fight is not just for itself but for the global community. “We must bring the evil killers to justice. But beyond that, we must expose and confront the sponsors, the financiers, and the enablers. This is a fight we must win — together.”