Colombia Withdraws Condolence to Pakistan After India's Clarification on Operation Sindoor

In a significant diplomatic development, Colombia has withdrawn its earlier statement offering condolences to Pakistan following India's military strikes in retaliation for the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack. This move comes after an Indian all-party parliamentary delegation, led by Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, held a series of high-level meetings in Bogotá to clarify the context and consequences of India’s actions under Operation Sindoor.

The Pahalgam attack, which claimed the lives of 26 innocent civilians, triggered a strong military response from India, targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. The strikes, conducted with precision, lasted several days and culminated in a ceasefire agreement between India and Pakistan on May 10. India’s objective was clear: to demonstrate its zero-tolerance policy for terrorism and to expose Pakistan’s continued support for cross-border terror activities.

Colombia's original message, expressing condolences for Pakistani casualties, was seen in India as failing to distinguish between terrorists and victims. Tharoor expressed disappointment at the May 8 statement, noting that it appeared to equate the aggressors with defenders. During meetings with Vice Foreign Minister Rosa Yolanda Villavicencio, and other Colombian officials, the Indian delegation explained the true nature of the conflict, highlighting that India's strikes were aimed at eliminating terror safe havens, not targeting civilians.

Following these discussions, Villavicencio assured that the statement had been withdrawn, and that Colombia now fully understood and supported India's stance. Tejasvi Surya, a BJP MP in the delegation, praised Colombia for acknowledging India’s position and respecting its right to self-defence.

The delegation also met with Colombia’s former President César Gaviria, as well as leaders from Colombia’s Chamber of Representatives. These officials, including Alejandro Toro and Jaime Raul Salamanca, echoed their support for India's sovereignty and its right to protect its citizens from terrorism.

India has deployed seven delegations globally to present the case against Pakistan’s terror links. The Colombian leg followed visits to Guyana and Panama, with Brazil and the United States next on the itinerary.

This proactive diplomatic mission underlines India’s effort to build international consensus against terrorism and ensure the world recognizes the distinction between counter-terrorism operations and unprovoked aggression.