Could Cesar Augusto Gaviria Trujillo's Support Impact India's Fight Against Terrorism?

Bogota, May 30 (NationPress) Cesar Augusto Gaviria Trujillo, the former President of Colombia and a seasoned veteran in the battle against terror from extremists and drug cartels, has pledged his unwavering support to India in its ongoing fight against terrorism.

According to Taranjit Singh Sandhu, India’s former Ambassador to Washington, who is traveling with a team of Indian parliamentarians to the South American country, Gaviria expressed this strong endorsement during their meeting early Friday (India time). Sandhu shared this news via an X post.

The delegation reportedly had a constructive interaction with Gaviria, who leads the Colombia Liberal Party, the dominant political party in Colombia’s Congress, which operates under a Presidential system.

Throughout his presidency, Gaviria confronted drug cartels with cross-border operations and political extremists who executed terrorist acts against his administration, resulting in significant civilian casualties.

The Indian delegation is on a mission to communicate India’s commitment to zero tolerance towards terrorism, particularly following Operation Sindoor, which targeted terrorist hubs in Pakistan and the occupied regions of Kashmir. This operation was a response to the tragic massacre of 26 individuals in Pahalgam, attributed to the Lashkar-e-Taiba-linked 'The Resistance Front'.

Led by Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, the Indian delegation arrived in Bogota from Panama on Thursday, after stops in New York and Guyana. They plan to continue their journey to Brazil before heading to Washington next week.

The team also engaged with Colombian journalists and leading media figures, conveying India's determination to combat terrorism and uphold a zero-tolerance approach towards global threats, as stated by Tharoor on X.

In the coming days, the delegation will participate in discussions with Colombian lawmakers, ministers, policy think tanks, and media representatives to underscore India's stance against terrorism and further enhance bilateral ties.

Reflecting on their previous engagements in Panama, Tharoor noted, “Our trip concluded with a remarkable reception by Ambassador [Sumit] Seth for the diplomatic community and prominent Panamanian figures.”

During their meeting, Panama’s Foreign Minister Javier Eduardo Martínez-Acha Vasquez and Vice-Minister Carlos Hoyos expressed strong support for India’s fight against terrorism and emphasized enhancing cooperation between the two nations.

Furthermore, Martinez-Acha conveyed Panama’s backing for India’s bid for a permanent seat at the United Nations Security Council.

Earlier, Panama’s President Jose Raul Mulino Quintero also expressed his solidarity with India’s efforts against terrorism, as shared by Tharoor on X.

Exemplifying India’s united front against terrorism, the delegation showcases the country's political and geographic diversity.

In addition to Tharoor, the team includes Shambhavi from the Lok Janshakti Party, Sarfaraz Ahmad from the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha, Milind Murli Deora from the Shiv Sena, along with Shashank Mani Tripathi, Bhubaneswar Kalita, Tejasvi Surya of the BJP, and GM Harish Balayogi of the Telugu Desam Party, a partner in the National Democratic Alliance.