On Tuesday, May 27, 2025, a delegation led by Congress MP Shashi Tharoor met with Panama Assembly President Dana Castaneda. During the meeting, Tharoor reaffirmed India’s firm stance against terrorism and updated the Panamanian officials about the recent Pahalgam terror attack. He emphasized the unity of all Indian political parties on national security and stated that India would not tolerate cross-border terrorism and would take decisive action against those responsible.

“We come from diverse political backgrounds across India, yet we are united for the nation’s sake. Following the April 22 Pahalgam attack, we waited to see if Pakistan would act against the perpetrators. When no action was taken, India retaliated on May 7 by striking known terrorist bases inside Pakistan,” Tharoor said. He added that India did not seek war but felt terrorism must be punished.

Tharoor requested Panama’s cooperation in advance should another terrorist attack occur in India. Panama Assembly President Castaneda responded by affirming the country’s strong anti-terrorism laws.

The delegation arrived in Panama City for a three-day visit following their trip to Guyana. According to the Indian Embassy in Panama, the MPs will engage with Panamanian leaders, media, strategic experts, the Indian diaspora, and friends of India, promoting unity and India’s commitment to combating terrorism.

The delegation includes MPs Sarfaraz Ahmed, G M Harish Balayogi, Shashank Mani Tripathi, Tejasvi Surya, Bhubaneswar Kalita, Mallikarjun Devda, Milind Deora, and former Indian Ambassador to the U.S., Taranjit Singh Sandhu.

Speaking to the Indian community in Panama, Tharoor criticized Pakistan for ongoing terrorist attacks against India, highlighting that despite India’s desire for peace, Pakistan continues to challenge Indian sovereignty by attacking disputed territories. He stressed that India will not relinquish its territorial control, even if it means enduring repeated attacks.

He recalled decades of terrorist violence since 1989, stressing that enduring such losses is unacceptable. “We have continuously suffered civilian casualties. It is no longer enough to merely inform the international community; action must be taken to identify and prosecute those responsible,” he said.

Tharoor also highlighted India’s evolving military response to terrorism, citing key moments such as the 2015 Uri surgical strikes that crossed the Line of Control (LoC), and the 2019 Balakot airstrikes that crossed the international border into Pakistan to target terrorist headquarters.

He explained the necessity of “Operation Sindoor,” launched after the Pahalgam attack, emphasizing the symbolic connection between the vermilion color worn by Indian women and the blood of those who attacked innocent civilians. Tharoor quoted the Prime Minister’s words on the operation, underscoring the emotional impact on families who lost their loved ones.

A moment of silence was held by the Tharoor-led delegation and the Indian community at the Sociedad Hindostana de Panama, a major cultural institution, in remembrance of the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack.