No Equivalence between Pak & India: Tharoor on Colombia’s Reaction on Op Sindoor
The recent visit of the Colombian delegation to India and Pakistan has sparked controversy, with many questioning the decision of the delegation to condole the loss of lives in Pakistan due to Operation Sindoor. Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has expressed disappointment over this decision, stating that there can be no equivalence between Pakistan, which dispatches terrorists, and India, which exercises its right to self-defence.
Operation Sindoor, a surgical strike carried out by the Indian Army, aimed to neutralize terrorist launch pads in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). The operation resulted in the killing of several terrorists and destruction of their infrastructure. Pakistan, however, has consistently denied any involvement in terrorism and has condemned the operation as a violation of its sovereignty.
The Colombian delegation, comprising Defence Minister Diego Molano and Foreign Minister Álvaro Leyva, visited both India and Pakistan to discuss defence and trade cooperation. While in Pakistan, the delegation condoled the loss of lives in the operation, sparking outrage in India. The Indian government, however, maintained that the visit was focused on strengthening defence ties and did not involve any official recognition of Pakistan’s stance on terrorism.
Tharoor, a vocal critic of Pakistan’s involvement in terrorism, expressed his disappointment over the Colombian delegation’s decision to sympathize with Pakistan. “There can be no equivalence between those who dispatch terrorists and those who resist…those who attack and those who defend. We’re exercising our right of self-defence,” he said.
Tharoor’s remarks come as no surprise, given his long-standing criticism of Pakistan’s role in fomenting terrorism in the region. He has consistently emphasized the need for international pressure on Pakistan to dismantle its terror infrastructure and bring perpetrators of terrorist attacks to justice.
The Colombian delegation’s decision to condole the loss of lives in Pakistan has raised questions about the country’s stance on terrorism. Colombia has a history of being a major victim of terrorism, having suffered at the hands of the FARC and ELN rebel groups. However, its decision to sympathize with Pakistan’s victims of Operation Sindoor has been seen as a departure from its usual stance on terrorism.
India has long been a victim of Pakistan-sponsored terrorism, with several major attacks carried out on its soil in recent years. The Uri attack in 2016, which resulted in the death of 19 Indian soldiers, and the Pulwama attack in 2019, which killed over 40 Indian security personnel, are just two examples of the devastating impact of terrorism on the country.
Pakistan, on the other hand, has consistently denied any involvement in terrorism, despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary. The country has been placed on the “grey list” by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) for its failure to combat terrorism financing. The FATF has given Pakistan until June 2022 to address its concerns and prevent the spread of terrorism financing.
Tharoor’s remarks have sparked a heated debate on social media, with many calling for India to take a stronger stance against Pakistan’s involvement in terrorism. Others have criticized the Colombian delegation’s decision to sympathize with Pakistan, saying that it undermines the global fight against terrorism.
In conclusion, Tharoor’s statement highlights the need for the international community to recognize the difference between Pakistan’s role in promoting terrorism and India’s right to self-defence. The Colombian delegation’s decision to condole the loss of lives in Pakistan serves as a reminder of the need for countries to take a stronger stance against terrorism and support those who are fighting against it.
