𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐨𝐨𝐫: 𝐓𝐞𝐫𝐫𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐦 𝐍𝐨 𝐒𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐩𝐮𝐭𝐞𝐬

Leading an all-party Indian delegation to Panama, senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor firmly stated on Thursday that terrorism must not be used as a means to address international conflicts. Addressing Panamanian Foreign Minister Javier Martinez Acha, Tharoor referred to the recent April 22 Pahalgam terror attack and reiterated India’s commitment to pursuing those responsible.

“Terrorism cannot be an option to resolve disputes between nations,” Tharoor asserted. “There are more appropriate and acceptable avenues for handling such issues. Sending terrorists across borders is intolerable, and we will pursue the perpetrators.”

He also emphasized that accountability must extend beyond the attackers themselves, targeting those who provide them with shelter, funding, training, and logistical support.

“Those who provide safe havens to terrorists—who finance, arm, and guide them—must also be held responsible. This aspect of the challenge can no longer be ignored,” Tharoor added.

Tharoor expressed gratitude to the Panamanian government for its continued support of India’s bid for a permanent seat in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). He thanked Minister Acha for Panama’s constructive statements and supportive stance on terrorism.

“Our delegation, which includes representatives from five major political parties across India, has been tasked with sharing our perspective on the Pahalgam attack and its consequences,” he said. “We aim to engage with various countries to explain our position and actions, and to build international understanding and support for India’s stance.”

Foreign Minister Acha, in turn, reaffirmed Panama’s support for India’s aspirations in the UNSC. “I’ve said this before, and I’ll say it again—India deserves a seat on the United Nations Security Council,” Acha stated, highlighting the growing bilateral relationship between the two nations.

The Indian delegation also met with Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino earlier in the visit. Alongside Tharoor, the delegation includes leaders from multiple political parties, including Shambhavi Chaudhary (Lok Janshakti Party), Sarfaraz Ahmed (Jharkhand Mukti Morcha), G.M. Harish Balayagi (TDP), BJP MPs Tejaswi Surya, Shashank Mani Tripathi, and Bhubaneswar Kalita, Mallikarjun Devda (Shiv Sena), former Ambassador Taranjit Singh Sandhu, and Shiv Sena MP Milind Deora.