Colombia Withdraws Earlier Statement, Now Backs India on Terrorism

Colombia is set to extend full support to India’s firm stance against terrorism, marking a significant shift in its earlier position. The announcement comes in the wake of India’s "Operation Sindoor" conducted on May 7, after which Colombia had previously expressed condolences over casualties in Pakistan.

Congress Member of Parliament Shashi Tharoor, who is leading the Indian multi-party delegation currently visiting Colombia, confirmed this development. “They have withdrawn the earlier statement that had disappointed us. A new statement supporting our position on terrorism will be issued,” said Shashi Tharoor. Notably, Tharoor had expressed concern over Colombia's position just a day earlier.

Former Indian Ambassador to the United States and Bharatiya Janata Party leader Taranjit Singh Sandhu stated that the change in Colombia’s stance resulted from the comprehensive explanation provided by the Indian delegation. “This morning, our team had an extensive discussion with the acting foreign minister. Perhaps there were aspects they had not fully understood. We explained the facts. Colombia is also set to become a member of the UN Security Council soon, which is a relevant factor,” Sandhu told news agency ANI.

Shashi Tharoor reiterated that India possesses concrete evidence implicating Pakistan-backed terrorism in the Pahalgam attack. “We are merely exercising our right to self-defence. Just like Colombia, India has faced numerous terror attacks for decades,” he stated.

Colombia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Rosa Yolanda Villavicencio acknowledged the new understanding her country has gained from India’s position. “We now understand the facts behind India’s argument and have gained clarity on the events in Kashmir and the current situation there. We will continue the dialogue,” she affirmed.

The delegation led by Shashi Tharoor arrived in Colombia on Thursday after visits to Panama and Guyana. The group includes G.M. Harish Balyogi from the Telugu Desam Party, Sarfaraz Ahmad from the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha, Shashank Mani Tripathi, Bhubaneswar Kalita, and Tejasvi Surya from the Bharatiya Janata Party, Milind Deora from Shiv Sena, and former ambassador Taranjit Singh Sandhu.

This delegation is one of seven multi-party groups constituted by India following the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, in which 26 civilians were killed. These groups are tasked with presenting India's perspective to the international community and are scheduled to visit 33 capital cities worldwide.