Colombia Withdraws Statement for Pakistan, Will Support India on Terrorism

Colombia retracts its previous support for Pakistan and will now back India’s stance on terrorism. Congress MP Shashi Tharoor shared the news following talks with Colombian officials, emphasizing India’s efforts to combat terrorism. The committee aims to strengthen global support on this issue during its current Americas visit, including Brazil and the US.

In an unexpected turn, Colombia has retracted a statement previously issued regarding Pakistan and is poised to express robust support for India’s position, as conveyed by Congress MP Shashi Tharoor. Tharoor, who is currently heading an all-party delegation in Bogota, noted, “We met with the Foreign Ministry – the Senior Vice Minister received us. They have withdrawn their statement that disappointed us earlier and will issue a statement of strong support for our position.”

Taranjit Singh Sandhu, a former Indian ambassador and BJP leader, highlighted that the delegation’s thorough discussions played a crucial role in changing Colombia’s stance. After meeting with the acting Foreign Minister, Sandhu said, “The end result was that they are withdrawing one of the other statements which had come out and have promised on terrorism and the issue.”

It is essential to recognize Colombia’s journey from a history affected by terrorism to a more peaceful nation. BJP MP Shashank Mani emphasized, “Terrorism has affected Colombia as well. We have come here with a message of peace… we want nothing but peace.”

Initially, Tharoor expressed disappointment at Colombia’s earlier lack of understanding when they sympathized with Pakistan following Indian strikes, mentioning a recent incident in Kashmir. He asserted that there should be no confusion between attacking terrorists and defending against them, saying, “There can be no equivalence between those who dispatch terrorists and those who resist them.”

After the discussions with Colombian officials, there was a marked change in their understanding of India’s position on terrorism. Tharoor stated, “The Vice Minister very graciously mentioned that they have withdrawn the statement that we had expressed concern about. We value their understanding of our position.”

Tharoor’s delegation, journeying through the Americas, has stopped in Colombia after visits to Panama and Guyana. Their goal remains clear— to strengthen India’s voice against terrorism. Following this stop, the delegation plans to continue on to Brazil and the United States, furthering their outreach efforts.

The recent retraction of Colombia’s statement regarding Pakistan and its new alignment with India’s anti-terrorism stance marks a significant diplomatic victory for India. Shashi Tharoor and the Indian delegation’s efforts highlight the successful navigation of complex diplomatic waters. By reinforcing the narrative of India’s zero tolerance towards terrorism, this move not only strengthens India’s relations with Colombia but also sheds light on the importance of understanding in international diplomacy. The ongoing journey through the Americas showcases India’s commitment to fostering global partnerships against terrorism.

Original Source: economictimes.indiatimes.com