'There will be a price to pay for terror attacks like Pahalgam', says Shashi Tharoor in US
The Indian delegation led by Tharoor interacted with members of various think-tanks at the US Embassy on Thursday, which emphasised upon India's fight against terrorism and the multi-faceted India-US partnership, the Indian Embassy at the US posted on social media platform X.
Shashi Tharoor is leading the all-party delegation which includes Shambhavi Chaudhary (Lok Janshakti Party), Sarfaraz Ahmed (Jharkhand Mukti Morcha), G.M. Harish Balayogi (Telugu Desam Party), Shashank Mani Tripathi, Tejasvi Surya, and Bhubaneswar Kalita (all from the BJP), former Indian Ambassador to the US Taranjit Singh Sandhu, and Shiv Sena MP Milind Deora.
During interaction with think tanks and young professionals, Tharoor said that the delegation has received solidarity and understanding at everywhere they went.
He reiterated India's stance that "there will be a price to pay" if terrorist attacks like the one in Pahalgam are carried out in India.
He said, "And I'm very pleased to say that everywhere we went and I could say this quite confidently without exception, we have received both of what we sought. We have received understanding and we have received solidarity. And these two things are really what we came for. We will continue to meet others during the remaining time today and tomorrow. I want to stress one thing, and then I'll be very happy to open it up for discussions, and that thing is quite simply that this is not something we would really have wanted to spend our time on."
"We are a country focused on growth and development. Our focus has entirely been on the economic advances that are so essential to pull a few the few people who remain below the poverty line in our country out below that and to take the rest into the developed India of our dreams. But, sadly, when this kind of thing is done to us, and for very cynical motives, which I think are pretty apparent so I won't spell them out, it was necessary for us to show that we will not allow people to cross the border and kill our citizens with impunity. That for terror strikes like this, which show all the hallmarks of meticulous planning and military style execution, that there will be a price to pay. And that was very strongly the message that we sent."
Earlier, Tharoor-led Indian delegation met with US Vice-President J.D. Vance in the US and had comprehensive discussions covering a wide array of critical issues, from counter-terrorism efforts to enhancing technological cooperation.
"Excellent meeting with Vice-President J.D. Vance today in Washington D.C. with our delegation. We had comprehensive discussions covering a wide array of critical issues, from counter-terrorism efforts to enhancing technological cooperation. A truly constructive & productive exchange for strengthening India-US strategic partnership, with a great meeting of minds," Tharoor said in another post on X.
"Held a meeting with US Vice-President J.D. Vance today in Washington DC along with members of the All-Party Delegation to the Americas today. During his recent visit to India, VP Vance also witnessed first hand the brutality of Pakistan-backed attacks on innocent civilians, underscoring the urgency of global efforts to put a stop to Pakistani terror. Engaged in discussions on critical issues ranging from India's strong counterterrorism efforts under PM Narendra Modi to enhancing technological cooperation between Bharat and the US," BJP MP Tejasvi Surya said in a post on X.
"Yesterday, a wonderfully positive meeting with the #IndiaCaucus leadership. US Congressman Andy Barr, co-vice-Chair of India Caucus (Republican); Congressman Rich McCormick, co-Chair of India Caucus (Republican), Representative Ro Khanna, co-Chair of India Caucus (Democrat); and Representative Mark Veasey, co-vice-Chair of India Caucus (Democrat). Excellent discussions with the Congressional India Caucus today! Our delegation deeply appreciates their strong bipartisan support for strengthening the India-US strategic partnership. Productive talks on shared priorities & advancing mutual interests. It's inspiring to see such strong bipartisan consensus on the importance of the India-US relationship. We look forward to building on this positive momentum!" Congress MP Tharoor said on Thursday on X
"Our public engagement at the Willard hotel was an outstanding success. With over 350 people showing up for the event, it gave us an opportunity to speak with the Indian Diaspora, which had featured in every meeting this morning on the Capitol Hill. As others had addressed Operation Sindoor in some detail, I focused on the opportunity for economic and geopolitical alignment between the two nations with the Diaspora as catalysts. I also exhorted the Diaspora to take part in Viksit Bharat that will give them and their children a connection to India, so essential to our relationship," BJP MP Shashank Mani Tripathi wrote in a post on X.
The all-party delegation reached the US after completing their visit to Brazil.
The diplomatic effort is part of India's broader global outreach following Operation Sindoor, launched on May 7 as a military response to the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam by Pakistan-sponsored terrorists, which claimed 26 lives and injured several others.
Subsequently, the Indian Armed Forces carried out strikes targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Jammu and Kashmir, resulting in the deaths of more than 100 terrorists affiliated with groups such as Jaish-e-Mohammed, Lashkar-e-Taiba, and Hizbul Mujahideen.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
38 minutes ago
- Time of India
Stop harassment of Bengal workers in your state, CS Pant writes to Odisha
Kolkata: Indicating a growing frustration with Bengali-speaking migrant workers being illegally detained in Odisha as Bangladeshis, Bengal chief secretary Manoj Pant on Thursday wrote to his Odisha counterpart, Manoj Ahuja, to put an end to this "continuing harassment faced by people from West Bengal" in the neighbouring state. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Samirul Islam, chairman of West Bengal Migrant Workers' Welfare Board and Trinamool's RS MP, threatened to move Calcutta High Court on the issue. "Thousands of people from Odisha live and work peacefully in Bengal. Not once has Bengal govt treated them with even a fraction of the hostility that Odisha is showing now," he said. Pant, in his letter, wrote: "We are receiving disturbing reports of such individuals being detained without due legal process in regions around Paradip and across coastal districts such as Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapara, Bhadrak, Malkangiri, Balasore and Cuttack. What is even more concerning is that even when these persons produce valid identity documents — including Aadhaar cards, ration cards, voter IDs, electricity bills and PDS documents — their claims are being dismissed. In many instances, they are being asked to produce ancestral land records dating back several generations, an unreasonable and unjustifiable demand for migrant workers." Pant also mentioned how, "alarmingly, there have also been instances where, despite verification reports from competent authorities in West Bengal confirming the identity and citizenship of the individuals, there has been no positive action or relief". "I appeal to you to take a humanitarian view of the matter and ensure that these individuals, who are Indian citizens, are not subjected to arbitrary detention or harassment based on linguistic or regional identity," he wrote. "It is deeply distressing to learn that many of them are being targeted solely because they speak Bengali — their mother tongue — and are being unjustly labelled as Bangladeshi infiltrators. This sweeping generalisation is not only unfair and discriminatory, but also deeply hurtful to citizens who have every right to dignity and protection under the law," Pant added. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Islam, who has been vocal on the issue, said: "The Odisha authorities refused to accept any identity document like Aadhaar and EPIC, and demanded verification from Bengal govt. We promptly provided the required details — verified and furnished by none other than DMs and SPs. But even that failed to satisfy them. Next, they asked for the electoral roll where names of these individuals were listed. Once again, the Bengal administration complied and sent the relevant documents. " The MP said: "Our CM Mamata Banerjee believes in diversity and strives to maintain harmony in every sense. So, I sincerely urge the Odisha govt and BJP: do not play with fire. If you ignite the politics of hatred, you may end up being consumed by your own flames."
&w=3840&q=100)
First Post
38 minutes ago
- First Post
US, Iran likely to hold first nuclear talks since joint strikes in Oslo next week: Report
White House envoy Steve Witkoff is planning to meet Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in Oslo next week, according to a report, citing two sources read more The United States plans to hold talks with Iran about its nuclear programme in Oslo next week, Axios reported on Thursday, citing two unidentified sources. According to the report, White House envoy Steve Witkoff is planning to meet Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in Oslo next week. While a final date has not been confirmed and neither government has publicly acknowledged the meeting, the sources said the planned discussions could mark the first direct contact between the US and Iran since President Donald Trump authorised a joint US-Israeli strike on Iran's nuclear facilities last month. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'We have no travel announcements at this time,' Axios quoted White House official as saying. Witkoff and Araghchi have reportedly maintained direct communication during and after the recent 12-day conflict between Israel and Iran, which ended under a US-brokered ceasefire. Mediation efforts have also involved officials from Oman and Qatar, Axios reported, citing sources said. Following the war, Iran initially resisted engagement with the US, but its stance appears to have softened in recent weeks. Israel's Channel 12 was the first to report on the potential meeting. According to the Axios report, central to any future negotiations will be Iran's stockpile of highly enriched uranium, which includes an estimated 400 kg enriched to 60%. The material is currently inaccessible, locked inside the Natanz, Fordow, and Isfahan facilities damaged during the joint airstrikes, added the report, citing Israeli and US officials. Although Iran is presently unable to retrieve the stockpile due to extensive structural damage, officials warn it could be recovered once debris is cleared. Meanwhile, Iran announced this week that it has begun enforcing a new parliamentary law suspending all cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Araghchi posted on social media that while Iran remains committed to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and its Safeguards Agreement, future engagement with the IAEA will be directed through the Supreme National Security Council due to 'obvious safety and security reasons.' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD With inputs from agencies
NDTV
41 minutes ago
- NDTV
India Will Soon Be World's Third Largest Economy: PM Modi In Ghana
Accra: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said that over the past decade, India has seen a major transformation across the spectrum, and on the foundations of stable polity and good governance, the country will soon be the world's third-largest economy. During his historic Parliament address here, PM Modi said India already contributes nearly 16 per cent to global growth. "Today, India is the fastest growing emerging economy. On the foundations of stable polity and good governance, India will soon be the third largest economy," the Prime Minister told the esteemed house. PM Modi further stated that India's demography is paying its dividend. "India now has the world's third largest start-up ecosystem. India is an innovation and technology hub, where global companies want to converge," said PM Modi in his address. "We are recognised as the Pharmacy of the world. Indian women today lead in science, space, aviation and sports. India landed on the Moon. And, today an Indian is in orbit giving wings to our human space flight mission," he added. The Prime Minister further stated that people of India have resolved to make India a Developed Nation by 2047, when "we celebrate 100 years of Independence". "As Ghana continues to pursue the path of progress and prosperity, India shall walk with you, shoulder to shoulder, on this road," he commented. In 2015, New Delhi hosted the India-Africa Summit. "President John Mahama was one of our esteemed guests. In 2017, India hosted the annual meeting of the African Development Bank. We have expanded our diplomatic presence to 46 countries across Africa," said PM Modi. Over 200 projects across the continent enhance connectivity, infrastructure and industrial capacity. Every year, the India-Africa Business conclave generates new opportunities. "In Ghana, we inaugurated the Tema - Mpakadan rail line last year. It is the largest infrastructure project in this part of the African region. We welcome Ghana's own efforts to accelerate economic integration under the African Continental Free Trade Area. Ghana also holds great potential to become an IT and innovation hub in the region. Together, we will shape a future, full of promise and progress," the Prime Minister emphasised. Earlier, PM Modi was conferred The Officer of the Order of the Star of Ghana, the country's highest civilian honour, by President Mahama. PM Modi thanked Ghana's President for the honour and called it a "matter of immense pride".
