Diplomatic Win For India! Colombia Retracts Its Statement Condoling With Pakistan After Shashi Tharoor-Led Delegation Expresses Disappointment

Bogota: In a major diplomatic win for India, Colombia on Friday (local time) officially retracted its earlier statement offering condolences for the loss of lives in Pakistan during the operation, rather than sympathising with the victims of terrorism in India. The development came after Shashi Tharoor-led delegation expressed disappointment over Colombia's stance on the issue.

While speaking with ANI, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of Colombia, Rosa Yolanda Villavicencio, said, "We are very confident 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."

Notably, Tharoor was also present with Villavicencio during her statement. Reacting to the development, Tharoor said, "The Vice Minister very graciously mentioned that they have withdrawn the statement that we had expressed concern about and that they fully understand our position on the matter, which is something we really value."

After the meeting with Villavicencio, the Congress MP in an X post, stated, "Began today with an excellent meeting with the Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of Colombia, Rosa Yolanda Villavicencio, and her senior colleagues dealing with the Asia-Pacific. I expressed India's view of recent events and voiced disappointment at Colombia's statement on 8 May, conveying "heartfelt condolences" to Pakistan. The Minister assured me that the statement had been withdrawn and that our position was now properly understood and strongly supported."

Began today with an excellent meeting with the Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of Colombia, Rosa Yolanda Villavicencio, and her senior colleagues dealing with the Asia-Pacific. I expressed India’s view of recent events and voiced disappointment at Colombia’s statement on 8 May… pic.twitter.com/OdRoUIguJl

— Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) May 30, 2025

Tharoor is leading the multi-party delegation to the Americas. The Tharoor-led delegation arrived in Colombia on Thursday after visiting Panama and Guyana. The delegation is part of India's global outreach to convey India's zero tolerance against terrorism. After the Colombia visit, the all-party delegation will head to Brazil and the United States on Saturday.

We met with Colombia’s Vice Foreign Minister, Ms Rosa Yolanda Villavicencio, and briefed her on the sequence of events, from the Pahalgam terror attack to India’s calibrated response under Operation Sindoor.

Colombia had earlier expressed condolences over the loss of lives in… pic.twitter.com/K7dflhIi7K

— Tejasvi Surya (@Tejasvi_Surya) May 30, 2025

Other members of the delegation include Bhubaneswar Kalita (BJP), Milind Deora (Shiv Sena), Shambhavi (LJP), GM Harish Balayogi (TDP), former ambassador of India to US Taranjit Singh Sandhu and BJP MP Tejasvi Surya.