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All-party Parliamentary delegation wraps up US trip, highlights India's anti-terror resolve
The delegation, which was led by Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, was on the final stage of a multi-nation journey to inform key interlocutors on Operation Sindoor read more
A multi-party delegation of India, led by Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, during an interaction with members of the Indian community, in USA. PTI
The all-party Parliamentary delegation concluded its tour to the United States by meeting with US Vice President JD Vance and Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau, among other political and diplomatic figures, to emphasise India's strong determination to tackle terrorism coming from Pakistan.
The delegation, which was led by Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, was on the final stage of a multi-nation journey to inform key interlocutors on Operation Sindoor, which India launched in response to the April 22 Pahalgam terrorist assault that killed 26 people.
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The delegation was one of seven multi-party delegations entrusted by India with visiting 33 worldwide capitals to raise awareness of Pakistan's links to terrorism.
The delegation arrived in the US capital on June 3 and over the course of three days held a wide array of meetings on Capitol Hill as well as in Washington, briefing the American government officials as well as lawmakers about India's stance on cross-border terrorism.
The Indian team met Vice President Vance, Landau, House Foreign Affairs Committee (HFAC) leadership, India Caucus leadership and Senate Foreign Relations Committee leaders and also held meetings and interactions with a host of US Congressmen, think tanks, policy experts, media as well as members of the Indian-American community.
Tharoor described the meeting with Vance at the White House for about 25 minutes on Thursday as 'an excellent meeting,' and said the vice president was 'warm and welcoming and receptive.' 'Vance expressed complete understanding, first of all, outrage of what happened in Pahalgam and support and respect for India's restrained response in Operation Sindoor,' Tharoor told PTI after that meeting.
After the delegation met Landau on Friday, a statement by State Department Spokesperson Tammy Bruce said that the Deputy Secretary of State 'reaffirmed the United States' strong support of India in the fight against terrorism and the strategic partnership between the two countries.' 'We discussed the US-India strategic relationship, including expanding trade and commercial ties to foster growth and prosperity for both countries,' Landau said.
The Indian Embassy said in a statement that during the meeting with Landau, the delegation briefed him on the heinous terrorist attack in Pahalgam, discussed India's subsequent Operation Sindoor, and put forth India's firm resolve to counter cross-border terrorism in all its forms.
On the last day of the delegation's scheduled meetings, the delegation oaid homage to Mahatma Gandhi at his statue opposite the Indian Embassy here.
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'It is striking how many world capitals are adorned with statues or busts of the Mahatma, the 20th century's greatest apostle of peace, nonviolence, and human freedom,' Tharoor posted on X afterwards.
The team, which had arrived from India in New York on May 24, had travelled to Guyana, Panama, Colombia and Brazil before arriving in Washington for the last leg of the tour.
The other members of the delegation were Sarfaraz Ahmad (JMM), Ganti Harish Madhur Balayogi (TDP), Shashank Mani Tripathi (BJP), Bhubaneswar Kalita (BJP), Milind Deora (Shiv Sena), Tejasvi Surya (BJP) and India's former Ambassador to the US Taranjit Sandhu.
Tensions between India and Pakistan escalated after the Pahalgam terror attack, with India carrying out precision strikes on terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir on May 7.
The on-ground hostilities from Indian and Pakistan sides that lasted for four days ended with an understanding of stopping the military actions following talks between the directors general of military operations of both sides on May 10.
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
diplomatic figures, to emphasise India's strong determination to tackle terrorism coming from Pakistan.
The delegation, which was led by Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, was on the final stage of a multi-nation journey to inform key interlocutors on Operation Sindoor, which India launched in response to the April 22 Pahalgam terrorist assault that killed 26 people.
The delegation was one of seven multi-party delegations entrusted by India with visiting 33 worldwide capitals to raise awareness of Pakistan's links to terrorism.
The delegation arrived in the US capital on June 3 and over the course of three days held a wide array of meetings on Capitol Hill as well as in Washington, briefing the American government officials as well as lawmakers about India's stance on cross-border terrorism.
The Indian team met Vice President Vance, Landau, House Foreign Affairs Committee (HFAC) leadership, India Caucus leadership and Senate Foreign Relations Committee leaders and also held meetings and interactions with a host of US Congressmen, think tanks, policy experts, media as well as members of the Indian-American community.
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
Tharoor described the meeting with Vance at the White House for about 25 minutes on Thursday as 'an excellent meeting,' and said the vice president was 'warm and welcoming and receptive.' 'Vance expressed complete understanding, first of all, outrage of what happened in Pahalgam and support and respect for India's restrained response in Operation Sindoor,' Tharoor told PTI after that meeting.
After the delegation met Landau on Friday, a statement by State Department Spokesperson Tammy Bruce said that the Deputy Secretary of State 'reaffirmed the United States' strong support of India in the fight against terrorism and the strategic partnership between the two countries.' 'We discussed the US-India strategic relationship, including expanding trade and commercial ties to foster growth and prosperity for both countries,' Landau said.
The Indian Embassy said in a statement that during the meeting with Landau, the delegation briefed him on the heinous terrorist attack in Pahalgam, discussed India's subsequent Operation Sindoor, and put forth India's firm resolve to counter cross-border terrorism in all its forms.
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
On the last day of the delegation's scheduled meetings, the delegation oaid homage to Mahatma Gandhi at his statue opposite the Indian Embassy here.
'It is striking how many world capitals are adorned with statues or busts of the Mahatma, the 20th century's greatest apostle of peace, nonviolence, and human freedom,' Tharoor posted on X afterwards.
The team, which had arrived from India in New York on May 24, had travelled to Guyana, Panama, Colombia and Brazil before arriving in Washington for the last leg of the tour.
The other members of the delegation were Sarfaraz Ahmad (JMM), Ganti Harish Madhur Balayogi (TDP), Shashank Mani Tripathi (BJP), Bhubaneswar Kalita (BJP), Milind Deora (Shiv Sena), Tejasvi Surya (BJP) and India's former Ambassador to the US Taranjit Sandhu.
Tensions between India and Pakistan escalated after the Pahalgam terror attack, with India carrying out precision strikes on terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir on May 7.
The on-ground hostilities from Indian and Pakistan sides that lasted for four days ended with an understanding of stopping the military actions following talks between the directors general of military operations of both sides on May 10.
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
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