An all-party Indian parliamentary delegation on Wednesday held a series of high-level meetings in Washington to underscore India’s firm stand against Pakistan-sponsored cross-border terrorism.
After their arrival on late Tuesday, the Indian delegation began their official engagements on Wednesday, which included meetings with US Congress members, policy leaders and members of the Indian Diaspora.
The delegation, led by Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, held discussions with the leadership of the Foreign Relations Committee of the US House of Representatives and members of the India Caucus, and later met Republican Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee, Brian Mast, and Democratic Ranking Member Gregory Meeks, among others.
Gregory Meeks, the Democratic Ranking Member, said, “Pleasure to host Chairman Shashi Tharoor & members of the Indian Parliamentary Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs. My colleagues & I expressed condolences for the terrorist attack in Pahalgam & reaffirmed Congress’s commitment to the US-India partnership.”
During the interactions, the delegation briefed American lawmakers on Operation Sindoor and India’s stance against cross-border terrorism.
According to the Indian Embassy, “The Parliamentary delegation briefed the committee members on the success of Operation Sindoor in defining a new normal in India’s fight against cross-border terrorism.”
The US House Committee leadership condemned the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam unequivocally, reiterating the United States’ solidarity with India.
“India and the USA stand together in their unwavering resolve and fight against terrorism in all its forms,” said the Indian Embassy.
The Indian parliamentarians also held talks with Congressmen Ro Khanna and Rich McCormick, co-chairs of the House India Caucus, and Senators Mark Warner and John Cornyn, co-chairs of the Senate India Caucus.
Senator Cornyn shared on X, “Good meeting with Indian parliamentary delegation about US-India relationship.”
Tharoor appreciated the interactions, stating, “Great to meet you and your Senate Foreign Relations Committee colleagues, Senate Rich McCormick! We greatly valued all of you finding the time for us on a busy day and expressing your solidarity with our fight against terrorism. We also appreciated your enthusiasm for greater and stronger cooperation between our countries on a wide range of areas. The potential is unlimited!”
Congressman Ro Khanna also reiterated bipartisan support for India’s fight against terror, saying, “United States has a bipartisan commitment to the India relationship and stands with India to dismantle these terrorist networks in Pakistan.”
Tharoor acknowledged Khanna’s support and said it was “terrific” to meet him, adding that the delegation was “grateful for the strong support of the India Caucus” in the House of Representatives.
Later in the day, the delegation met members of the Indian diaspora.
“The All Party delegation led by Shashi Tharoor met prominent members of the Indian diaspora in USA. The delegation spoke about India’s resolute and united stand against terrorism and the new normal created by India through Operation Sindoor. The Indian diaspora members shared their message of solidarity with the victims of terrorism and support for India’s fight against terrorism,” said the Indian embassy.
At a news conference, Tharoor said that India received “total support and solidarity” in fighting terrorism from US lawmakers whom the delegation met on Wednesday.
“We didn’t have a single sceptical or negative voice,” he said. “On the contrary, what we got was very, very positive responses.”
There was “total support and solidarity for India and its fight against terrorism” and expressions of “complete understanding of India’s right to defend itself against terrorism,” Tharoor said.
“Broadly speaking, we have left the hill very pleased with the quality of the conversations the level of interest,” he added.
“On the hill, there was a fairly bi-partisan acceptance that as largest, vibrant, very diverse democracies, both nations together, have a lot to offer to the world. This agenda of economics is the core point,” but it also relates to “a larger, longer-term play of democracy across the world is central,” he said.
Tharoor also urged the Indian diaspora to speak up with their members of US Congress for India.
“They will listen to you,” he said. “They are conscious of you. They respect you. You’re all very, very high achievers, and people can do significant things. We are proud of you.”
During the two-day visit, the Indian representatives will continue their meetings with members of the US Congress and administration, think tanks, media, and key policymakers.
The Embassy emphasised that the delegation aims to build consensus and deepen strategic cooperation on shared security priorities.
Apart from Tharoor, the delegation includes Lok Janshakti Party-Ram Vilas MP Shambhavi Choudhary, Jharkhand Mukti Morcha’s Sarfaraz Ahmad, Shiv Sena’s Milind Murli Deora; BJP’s Shashank Mani Tripathi, Bhubaneswar Kalita, and Tejasvi Surya; and Telugu Desam Party’s GM Harish Balayogi. Former Indian Ambassador to the US, Taranjit Singh Sandhu, is also accompanying the delegation.
