Colombia Withdraws Controversial Statement on Pakistan: What It Means for India

Colombia's Diplomatic Shift

Bogota: Rosa Yolanda Villavicencio, Colombia's Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, announced the retraction of a previous statement that expressed condolences regarding the casualties from 'Operation Sindoor' in Pakistan. This clarification came during a meeting with Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, who is leading a Parliamentary delegation.

Tharoor conveyed to the press that the vice minister acknowledged the withdrawal of the statement that had raised concerns, emphasizing their understanding of India's perspective on the issue.

Earlier, Tharoor had voiced his dissatisfaction with Colombia's remarks, which seemed to equate the terrorists eliminated in 'Operation Sindoor' with their victims in Pahalgam.

During the meeting, Villavicencio expressed confidence that the detailed explanations provided would enhance dialogue regarding the Kashmir situation.

The significance of conveying the impact of terrorism to Colombia, a nation with its own history of violence, is heightened as it prepares to assume a seat on the UN Security Council next year, running unopposed for the Latin American position in the upcoming election.

In a prior engagement with Colombian media, Tharoor expressed disappointment over the Colombian government's initial response, which seemed to prioritize condolences for lives lost in Pakistan rather than acknowledging the victims of terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir.

Colombia promptly recognized India's concerns regarding the statement made without a comprehensive understanding of the situation and took steps to address it.

Former President Cesar Augusto Gaviria Trujillo, a prominent figure in Congress, underscored Colombia's solidarity with India, affirming their stance against terrorism.

The delegation has made progress in fostering a nuanced understanding of the events following the Pahalgam massacre, attributed to The Resistance Front, a Pakistan-based group linked to Lashkar-e-Tayiba, and the rationale behind 'Operation Sindoor.'

At the meeting with Villavicencio, BJP MP Tejasvi Surya shared insights on the sequence of events from the Pahalgam attack to India's measured response through 'Operation Sindoor.'

The MPs also engaged with members of the Colombian Congress, including Alejandro Toro and Jaime Raul, who are part of the commission overseeing international relations.

As a gesture of goodwill, Colombian leaders gifted Tharoor a wool poncho for the winter in Delhi and a traditional Colombian hat.

The delegation also engaged in extensive discussions with the Colombian Council on International Relations (CORI), as noted by the Embassy in Bogota.

Additionally, they visited Tadeo University, where they paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at his statue.

Tharoor, representing the Opposition Congress Party, leads a diverse team from various political backgrounds.

The delegation includes Tejasvi Surya, Shambhavi from the Lok Janshakti Party, Sarfaraz Ahmad from the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha, Milind Murli Deora from the Shiv Sena, and BJP members Shashank Mani Tripathi and Bhubaneswar Kalita, along with GM Harish Balayogi from the Telugu Desam Party.

The team has already met with representatives from two elected Security Council members, Guyana and Panama, and plans to visit Brazil and Washington next week.