India achieved a diplomatic win after Colombia withdrew its earlier statement that had shown sympathy for Pakistan. Initially, the South American country had expressed condolences for Pakistani lives lost during India’s Operation Sindoor. However, after India’s strong response, Colombia reversed its stance.
Tharoor Voices Disappointment Over Colombia’s Initial Statement
During a press conference in Bogota on Thursday, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, who is leading a multi-party Indian delegation to the Americas, said India was disappointed. He criticised Colombia for sympathising with Pakistan instead of the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack. “We were a little disappointed in the reaction of the Colombian government, which apparently expressed heartfelt condolences on the loss of lives in Pakistan after the Indian strikes, rather than sympathising with the victims of terrorism,” said Tharoor.
He further explained that India only acted in self-defence and there should be no confusion out who was attacking and who was resisting. “There can be no equivalence between those who dispatch terrorists and those who resist them. There can be no equivalence between those who attack and those who defend,” he said.
Colombia Changes Its Position After Meeting Indian Delegation
The Indian delegation met Colombia’s Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, Rosa Yolanda Villavicencio, on Friday. After the meeting, the Colombian side acknowledged India’s concerns and agreed to withdraw the earlier statement. “We are very confident with the explanation that we received today and the detailed information that we now have regarding the real situation, the conflict, and what happened in Kashmir. We can also continue the dialogue…,” Villavicencio said to ANI.
Tharoor Welcomes Colombia’s Understanding
Tharoor expressed satisfaction with the outcome of the meeting and appreciated Colombia’s decision. “The Vice Minister very graciously mentioned that they have withdrawn the statement that we had expressed concern about and that they fully understand our position on the matter, which is something we really value,” Tharoor told ANI.
Tharoor Updates on Social Media
Later, Tharoor tweeted about the meeting and the progress made. “Began today with an excellent meeting with the Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of Colombia, Rosa Yolanda Villavicencio, and her senior colleagues dealing with the Asia-Pacific. I expressed India’s view of recent events and voiced disappointment at Colombia’s statement on 8 May, conveying ‘heartfelt condolences’ to Pakistan. The Minister assured me that the statement had been withdrawn and that our position was now properly understood and strongly supported,” he wrote.
Delegation Heads to Next Destinations
Tharoor’s team is visiting Latin American countries as part of India’s diplomatic outreach against terrorism. After Colombia, the delegation will travel to Brazil and then to the United States on Saturday.