Latest news with #ShashiTharoor-led
News18
17 hours ago
- Politics
- News18
'Bangladesh Army Not As Radical As Pakistan's': Experts To Parliamentary Panel On External Affairs
Last Updated: The experts assured the Shashi Tharoor-led standing committee that there was no immediate cause for alarm regarding Bangladesh, especially compared to Pakistan Concerns about the radicalisation of youth in neighbouring countries were discussed during a key meeting of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs, chaired by Dr Shashi Tharoor. The discussion, focused on India-Bangladesh relations, included expert testimonies from former national security adviser Shivshankar Menon, Lt Gen Syed Ata Hasnain (Retd), former High Commissioner to Bangladesh Riva Ganguly Das, and strategic affairs analyst Professor Amitabh Mattoo. The meeting addressed the growing apprehensions over China and Pakistan's increased engagement with Bangladesh. Several committee members expressed concern about the implications of this evolving regional dynamic, given India's already strained ties with both China and Pakistan. However, experts assured the panel that there was no immediate cause for alarm regarding Bangladesh, especially compared to Pakistan. According to the experts, the Pakistani army remains deeply radicalised, unlike the Bangladeshi army, which does not exhibit similar traits. This distinction is a key factor in assessing the strategic outlook of India's eastern neighbour. They also noted that media narratives often exaggerate the closeness between Bangladesh and India's adversaries. BJP MP Kiran Choudhry, also a member of the panel, recalled her father Brigadier Atma Singh Sejwal's contribution during the Bangladesh Liberation War, reiterating India's longstanding friendship with Bangladesh. In response to a question about Sheikh Hasina's presence in India and how it might be perceived in Bangladesh, the experts drew parallels with India's historic record of granting refuge—from the Dalai Lama to various political figures—reinforcing that this aligns with India's humanitarian ethos. Opposition MPs also emphasised the importance of enhancing bilateral engagement, particularly because states like West Bengal and Tripura share deep linguistic and cultural ties—and long, porous borders—with Bangladesh. Several members proposed increasing people-to-people exchanges, including media and journalist programmes, to deepen mutual understanding. Chairman Shashi Tharoor described the session as 'an excellent and in-depth discussion", confirming that a detailed report would be submitted to Parliament soon. 'We had first-class experts before the committee today. Members raised many important questions, and we received comprehensive responses," he said. On the politically sensitive issue of illegal migration from Bangladesh—often flagged by BJP leaders across states like West Bengal and Jharkhand—Tharoor noted that the number of such cases has 'significantly declined", based on inputs received by the committee. When asked about the ongoing water-sharing disputes and whether the issue was discussed, especially in light of West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee's concerns, Tharoor said, 'You'll have to wait for the final report to know more." The last major meeting on India-Bangladesh ties took place in December, when foreign secretary Vikram Misri briefed the committee. He addressed questions on bilateral relations and spoke at length about the reported violence against the Hindu minority community in Bangladesh.
The Hindu
18 hours ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
MPs across party lines in parliamentary panel support forward-looking policy for Bangladesh
At a special interaction between four leading experts and the Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs, MPs cutting across party lines displayed a desire to 'move ahead' with India's relation with Bangladesh, it has been learnt. The Hindu had earlier reported that the interaction between the Congress MP Shashi Tharoor-led parliamentary committee and four experts was scheduled for Friday (June 27, 2025) afternoon, where the MPs were expected to be briefed on the latest developments in Dhaka and what India can do to recover the lost ground. 'All Members of Parliament displayed pathos and understanding of the issues between India and Bangladesh and there was a real desire among the MPs to mend the bilateral ties and take things forward,' said a source on condition of anonymity about the interaction between the four experts — former National Security Adviser Shiv Shankar Menon, former Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Riva Ganguly Das, Lieutenant-General Syed Ata Hasnain (Retd) and Dean of School of International Studies of Jawaharlal Nehru University Amitabh Mattoo. Also read | Analysis: Why Hasina fell The Hindu has learnt that the interaction went on for two and a half hours, as the MPs wanted to hear all the suggestions for repairing the ties that nosedived after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was overthrown in a public agitation in August 2024. 'It was a general understanding that Bangladesh is connected through common culture and language and that it should not be viewed as a hostile neighbour like Pakistan,' said a source giving a hint about the discussion that took place in the meeting. The MPs also opined that India should carry out a soft launch of cultural diplomacy involving West Bengal to soften some of the harsh exchanges between the two sides. Bangladesh has recently made a move in that direction with a meeting between its High Commissioner M. Riaz Hamidullah and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in Kolkata last Monday (June 23, 2025). 'West Bengal and Bangladesh are connected through a common language and culture, the legacy of Rabindranath Tagore and Nazrul Islam and this vital link should be utilised for para-diplomacy between New Delhi and Dhaka through public events and interactions,' said a source privy to the discussion held by the Standing Committee. The MPs also raised questions about the China factor in Bangladesh, illegal immigration from Bangladesh to India, and the trilateral meeting between the foreign office officials of Bangladesh, Pakistan and China that was held in Kunming on June 19, 2025.
News18
31-05-2025
- Politics
- News18
Colombia Retracts Statement On Pakistani Casualties During Op Sindoor After India's Objections
Last Updated: Shashi Tharoor had expressed disappointment over Colombia's earlier stance on Pakistan, however, the South American country has now retracted its statement. Colombia withdraws statement on Pakistan (PTI Image) In a significant diplomatic achievement for India, Colombia officially withdrew its earlier statement that expressed condolences on the loss of lives in Pakistan during Operation Sindoor. This comes after a Shashi Tharoor-led delegation expressed disappointment over the country's stance in the immediate aftermath of India's retaliatory strikes. Colombia's Vice Foreign Minister, Ms Rosa Yolanda Villavicencio, said, 'We are very confident that with the explanation that we received today and the detailed information that we now have regarding the real situation, the conflict, and what happened in Kashmir, we can also continue the dialogue." More to follow…
Time of India
31-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
After Shashi Tharoor's delegation expresses disappointment, Colombia withdraws statement for Pakistan
NEW DELHI: After the Shashi Tharoor-led delegation to the US expressed disagreement over Colombia 's statement supporting Pakistan , the state withdrew its statement and "will issue a statement of strong support for our position and understanding of our position," the Congress MP said. "We met with the Foreign Ministry - the Senior Vice Minister received us. We had some good news: They have withdrawn their statement that disappointed us earlier and will issue a statement of strong support for our position and understanding of our position. Finally, here we are before this beautiful bust of Mahatma Gandhi on the campus of the main university," Tharoor said. Speaking to the reporters later, he said, "There is no equivalence between those who attack our country and those who defend their own country, and our only disappointment with the earlier statement by Colombia was that it seemed to have overlooked this difference. We're very pleased to learn that that statement has been withdrawn as you've also mentioned, and we are also very pleased that you, as representatives of the people of Colombia, are determined to stand with us for our sovereignty, for peace in the world, for peace in the subcontinent of India and that you are very, very happy that this kind of dialogue will continue between our peoples and our representatives. " Taranjit Singh Sandhu, former Indian ambassador to the United States and senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader, said that the delegation's comprehensive briefing was instrumental in prompting Colombia to reverse its stance. "This morning we had a detailed interaction with the acting Foreign Minister and our leader and the entire team made specific points to them explaining to them the timeline which perhaps to an extent they might have missed out. The end result was that they are withdrawing one of the other statements which had come out and have promised and stated, actually quite clearly, on terrorism and the issue. The importance of Colombia, apart from other reasons, is also that it will be a member of the Security Council soon," he said. Noting that Colombia understood India's position as it was once plagued by terrorism, BJP MP Shashank Mani said, "It is notable that terrorism has affected Colombia as well. However, after a long struggle, Colombia is now a peaceful country. We have come here with a message of peace. We have clearly stated that we will give a fitting response to every terrorist attack, and when it is over, we want nothing but peace." Tharoor voiced disappointment during a press conference in Bogotá on Thursday over Colombia's stance. He noted that India was disheartened by the Colombian government's decision to offer condolences for the casualties in Pakistan during Operation Sindoor, instead of expressing solidarity with the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack. "We were a little disappointed in the reaction of the Colombian government, which apparently expressed heartfelt condolences on the loss of lives in Pakistan after the Indian strikes, rather than sympathising with the victims of terrorism," said Tharoor. "We will say to our friends in Colombia, there can be no equivalence between those who dispatch terrorists and those who resist them. There can be no equivalence between those who attack and those who defend. We are only exercising our right of self-defence, and if there is any misunderstanding here, on this core, we are here to dispel any such misunderstanding", he added. Tharoor is heading the multi-party delegation on a tour across the Americas as part of India's global outreach to emphasize its zero-tolerance policy towards terrorism. Following visits to Panama and Guyana, the delegation arrived in Colombia on Thursday. After wrapping up their engagements there, they are scheduled to continue to Brazil and the United States on Saturday.
News18
30-05-2025
- Politics
- News18
‘No Equivalence Between India & Pakistan': Shashi Tharoor Miffed With Colombia's Take On Op Sindoor
Last Updated: Shashi Tharoor-led delegation arrived in Colombia, a South American country, and said that there can be "no equivalence" between India and Pakistan. Congress MP Shashi Tharoor on Thursday (local time) expressed 'disappointment" with the Colombian government over its reaction to India's Operation Sindoor, stating that there can be 'no equivalence between those who attack and those who defend" against acts of terrorism. His remarks came as his delegation reached Colombia after concluding their visit to Panama as part of the global outreach to expose Pakistan and present India's stand against terrorism. 'We were a little disappointed in the reaction of the Colombian government, which apparently expressed heartfelt condolences on the loss of lives in Pakistan after the Indian strikes, rather than sympathising with the victims of terrorism," Tharoor said. The Congress MP made it abundantly clear to Colombia that there can be 'no equivalence" between India and Pakistan, underlining that New Delhi only exercised its right of self-defence after the Pahalgam terror attack, through Operation Sindoor. 'We will say to our friends in Colombia, there can be no equivalence between those who dispatch terrorists and those who resist them. There can be no equivalence between those who attack and those who defend. We are only exercising our right of self-defence, and if there is any misunderstanding here on this core, we are here to dispel any such misunderstanding. We're very happy to talk to Colombia in some detail about the circumstances," he said. More to follow… Location : Colombia First Published:
