Leading the All-Party Parliamentary Delegation from India, Member of Parliament and former Minister of State for External Affairs Shashi Tharoor underscored that the delegation’s multi-country visit was intended to share India’s experience in the wake of the “horrific terrorist attack in Pahalgam” and to build international “understanding and solidarity” for its stance against terrorism.

Tharoor made these remarks during a community gathering hosted by the Embassy of India on June 4, 2025, at the Willard Intercontinental in Washington, DC. Acknowledging the large turnout by members of the Indian diaspora on short notice, he remarked, “I’m truly touched,” adding that given the event’s last-minute organization, they did not expect such strong attendance.

“To see you all here, sitting down, anxious to hear from us and to meet with us, is truly heartwarming. And it’s very clear you can take an Indian out of India, but you can never take India out of an Indian,” he said.

Tharoor expressed satisfaction with the delegation’s visit to five countries, Colombia, Panama, Brazil, Guyana, and the United States, underscoring the overwhelming support extended to India’s stance against terrorism and Operation Sindoor.

“We came prepared for much more by way of a pushback or questions or even some skepticism, we found none. There has been an unconditional support extended to us in our struggle against terrorism,” emphasized Tharoor. “At the same time, there is a strong sense that the relationship with India matters to all these people.”

He noted that U.S. Members of Congress not only affirmed their support regarding the Pahalgam attack but were eager to explore greater collaboration in trade, defense, intelligence, and investment. “The strategic partnership is real. We saw it in practice,” he said, pointing out that key members from the U.S. legislature with foreign policy responsibilities made time to engage with the delegation.

Highlighting the growing influence of the Indian American community, Tharoor shared that Representative Rich McCormick mentioned 14 percent of his constituency comprises Indian Americans. As such, Tharoor urged the community to raise their concerns and aspirations with their elected representatives.

The delegation includes seven Members of Parliament representing five political parties and seven Indian states, as well as two Ambassadors – one current and one former. Tharoor stressed that they come from “three religions,” saying, “I mentioned religions not because it should matter, because they are all equal under the Constitution and our country, but because the terrorists in Pahalgam tried to make religion an issue by asking their victims, what is your religion before shooting them?”

He added that the attackers aimed to provoke a communal backlash. “I’m proud to say that though passions were high for 24 hours, in some places, India stayed calm. India rallied together as one, and India as represented in this delegation, all spoke with one voice against terrorism.”

MP Bhubaneswar Kalita praised the diaspora, calling it “vibrant” and “supportive of India.” Citing his own experiences from Assam, he said he deeply understands the societal impact of terrorism. “We are a peaceful nation, and we want the world to be peaceful. But when the other nations provoke, and when the other nations create violence, we cannot remain silent,” he said.

MP Sarfraz Ahmad condemned the Pahalgam attack, calling it “outrageous,” and affirmed that the nations visited expressed strong support for India’s zero-tolerance approach to terrorism.

MP Shashank Mani, energized by the crowd’s enthusiasm, shared, “To be honest, we were getting homesick. Thanks to you – we are no longer homesick.” He emphasized that Operation Sindoor has unified leaders across party, national, and religious lines to deliver the message that fear and terrorism have no place in India.

“The zero-tolerance message of India is resounding across these five countries and across probably 30 other countries where our ambassadors have gone,” he said, adding that the initiative helped explain how terrorism aims to instill fear – and how its defeat unlocks progress. He also encouraged diaspora families to visit India with their children to connect with their roots.

MP Tejasvi Surya recounted the brutality of the Pahalgam attack, where victims were reportedly asked their religion, some forced to recite the first verse from the Quran, and others subjected to physical examination before being executed.

“The purpose behind all of this deliberate cynical action was only to destroy the social fabric of India,” he emphasized, asserting that his delegation, along with other delegations around the world sent by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, delivered a unified message: “India’s diversity is our strength, and it cannot be defeated.”

He reiterated that India “does not seek war,” aligning with the consistent message from the delegation’s leader Tharoor that India remains the land of Buddha and Mahatma Gandhi.

MP Harish Balayogi, the youngest member of the delegation, emphasized that people across India stood united against terrorism. “I’m proud to say that this delegation was able to deliver that across all the five countries that we have been to,” he said, noting that this was also his first address in the United States as a Member of Parliament.

In his opening remarks, Indian Ambassador to the United States Vinay Kwatra called the diaspora the “strongest living bridge” in the US-India relationship, emphasizing that the value they bring cannot be quantified.

Ambassador Taranjit Sandhu highlighted the Indian American community’s vital contributions in areas like healthcare, digital innovation, emerging technologies, energy, and education. He said their efforts are central to the competitive edge the United States enjoys today.

Related posts:

India Receives Strong Support Across Americas for Operation Sindoor, Says Shashi Tharoor U.S. Leaders, Indian American Lawmakers, and Community Organizations Condemn Kashmir Terror Attack That Killed 26 Tourists India’s Soul Unbroken: Spiritual Unity Defies Terror’s Divide India-U.S. Strategic Ties Bolstered by Joint Stand Against Cross-Border Terrorism