How Does India’s Stance on Peace, Democracy, and Freedom Stand Today? Shashi Tharoor Speaks Out

New Delhi, May 24 (NationPress) As he embarks on a five-nation tour to underscore India's resolve against terrorism through the Operation Sindoor outreach initiative, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor emphasized the nation's commitment to vital principles like peace, democracy, and freedom, which must be safeguarded globally amid rising threats of hatred, violence, and terrorism.

In a video shared on the social media platform X late Friday, Tharoor stated, "I am setting off to five countries leading a cross-party delegation to Guyana, Panama, Colombia, Brazil, and the US. The purpose of our journey is to represent our nation and address the horrific crisis we faced due to terrorist attacks against us in the most brutal way."

Tharoor will be joined by other Members of Parliament in this fifth cross-party delegation, tasked with unveiling the realities of Pakistan and its terrorist organizations that are supported and funded from its territory.

Earlier on Friday, the delegation, led by Tharoor, arrived at Delhi airport and will depart for Guyana, with a stopover in New York to visit the 9/11 Memorial before heading to their initial destination, Guyana.

Tharoor mentioned on X, "Members of the delegation I proudly lead are currently at Delhi Airport. Others will join us along the way."

On May 19, while addressing the media, Tharoor explained that the delegation plans to depart for the US on May 24 (IST) due to the upcoming Memorial Day weekend, as the US Congress is not in session until June 2. Thus, they will first visit Georgetown (Guyana), followed by Panama, Colombia, Brazil, and finally the US.

Tharoor, leading one of seven delegations advocating India's zero-tolerance stance on terrorism, expressed, "We must articulate our nation's position with clarity and conviction, asserting that we will not be silenced by terrorism, nor do we wish for the world to overlook these issues. This mission represents peace, hope, and the enduring message that India embodies the values we must uphold globally—peace, democracy, freedom, and not hatred, violence, or terror. Jai Hind."

The delegation includes members from the Bharatiya Janata Party such as Shashank Mani Tripathi, Bhubaneswar Kalita, and Tejasvi Surya, alongside representatives from other parties like the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) represented by Shambhavi Choudhary, Telugu Desam Party’s G.M. Harish Balayogi, Shiv Sena’s Milind Deora, and Jharkhand Mukti Morcha’s Sarfaraz Ahmad, including former US Ambassador Taranjit Singh Sandhu.

The delegation was previously briefed by Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri about the agenda for the global outreach aimed at articulating India's stance against terrorism.

Tharoor highlighted that their goal is to raise awareness about India’s position.

"We will engage with government officials, lawmakers, think tanks, and the media, aiming for public interaction. Our objective is to raise awareness among public, parliamentary, and legislative opinion in each of the visited nations. We are open to meeting anyone interested in speaking with us," Tharoor conveyed to reporters at the Parliament precincts.

The cross-party delegations will represent India’s national consensus and firm approach to combatting terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.