Washington D.C. [US], June 4 (ANI): A multi-party delegation from India, headed by Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, met with key US Congress members in Washington D.C. to discuss critical issues such as Pakistan-sponsored terrorism and India’s unwavering commitment to fighting terrorism.
The Indian Embassy in the US announced on X that the bipartisan delegation met with Representatives Ro Khanna and Marc Veasey, and Congressmen Rich McCormick and Andy Barr, who are co-chairs and vice co-chairs of the India Caucus in the House of Representatives.
During the meeting, the Indian delegation briefed the Caucus members about the ongoing cross-border terrorism faced by India, reiterating the country’s resolve in combating such threats.
The US Congress members voiced strong bipartisan condemnation of recent terror attacks in India, including the devastating incident in Pahalgam that resulted in the loss of 26 civilian lives. They expressed their support for India’s right to respond decisively in the spirit of zero tolerance against terrorism.
Furthermore, the Caucus highlighted the robust strategic partnership between India and the United States, signifying a shared commitment to address security challenges.
The Indian delegation’s visit to Washington D.C. marks the beginning of a two-day series of engagements with influential US stakeholders.
As part of their agenda, the delegation is set to meet members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, the House Foreign Affairs Committee, and the India Caucus. They will also engage with prominent academics from leading think tanks and various media organizations, further solidifying the US-India relationship.
Additionally, the delegation will address the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) and will have this event streamed live on the CFR website. Engaging with the Indian diaspora during their visit aims to strengthen community ties.
One of the key focuses for the delegation is to brief key US stakeholders about Operation Sindoor, a diplomatic initiative aimed at countering terrorism and disinformation in response to recent attacks in Jammu and Kashmir.
Shashi Tharoor, in a post on X, shared a rather challenging journey to Washington, describing it as a “horrendous, three-stage overnight journey” from Brasilia through Sao Paulo and Panama, during which he only managed to catch one and a half hours of sleep.
Upon his arrival in Washington D.C., he was welcomed by two Indian-American police officers, Harmanpreet Singh and Hundal, highlighting the strong Indian presence in the city.
Tharoor recorded an interview with CBS News at the Indian Embassy and held a briefing with Ambassador Vinay Kwatra and his team. The delegation’s arrival followed their visit to Belgium, and it features Members of Parliament representing various political perspectives, showcasing India’s vibrant democratic nature.
Alongside Tharoor, the delegation includes Sarfaraz Ahmad, Ganti Harish Madhur, Shashank Mani Tripathi, Bhubaneswar Kalita, Tejasvi Surya, and former Ambassador Taranjit Singh Sandhu.
Interestingly, the Indian delegation will face-off against a Pakistani delegation headed by Bilawal Bhutto, which will be concurrently in the US. Despite this scenario, Tharoor remains optimistic about effectively conveying India’s stance on terrorism.
Before departing for Washington D.C., Tharoor acknowledged the complexities of the US media landscape but expressed hope, stating that those genuinely concerned about terrorism and the South East Asian region would pay attention to India’s narrative.
As two competing delegations converge in Washington, Tharoor believes this scenario may heighten interest in both sides of the conversation surrounding terrorism and its implications for international relations.
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