Is India's Anti-Terrorism 'Peace Mission' Led by Tharoor Enough?

New York, May 25 (NationPress) Congress Lok Sabha MP, Shashi Tharoor, initiated the “peace mission” on Saturday with a diverse coalition of MPs to convey “the message that we will not be silenced by terrorism”.

“We carry forth India's resolute message of zero-tolerance against terrorism! The All-Party Delegation, led by Dr. Shashi Tharoor @ShashiTharoor, received a warm welcome from Ambassador Vinay Mohan Kwatra @AmbVMKwatra in New York. #NeverForgetNeverForgive #OpSindoor

The delegation, consisting of eight MPs and Taranjit Singh Sandhu, the former Indian Ambassador to the US, commenced their mission across the Americas, including the Caribbean.

Their first stop was to honor the victims of the September 11 attacks at the World Trade Centre memorial, a poignant tribute to those affected by this tragic act of terrorism.

During their visit, they also engaged with members of the diaspora.

The team plans to travel to Guyana, Panama, Colombia, and Brazil, concluding their tour with meetings in the US with influential leaders, lawmakers, and thought leaders.

Before departing from India, Tharoor stated, “We are here to voice the nation’s stance against the horrific crisis we endured, where our country was brutally attacked by terrorists.”

“We must articulate our response with clarity and conviction, signaling to the world that we will not be silenced by terrorism,” he emphasized.

This united front against terrorism is led by Tharoor from the opposition Congress Party and includes representatives from various parties such as Shambhavi of the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), Sarfaraz Ahmad of the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha, and Milind Murli Deora of the Shiv Sena.

Other members include Shashank Mani Tripathi, Bhubaneswar Kalita, and Tejasvi Surya from the BJP, as well as GM Harish Balayogi from the Telugu Desam Party, a National Democratic Alliance associate.

In response to the massacre of 26 civilians in Pahalgam by terrorists from The Resistance Front, affiliated with the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Toiba, India retaliated by targeting terrorist hubs in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir.

Pakistan escalated its aggression towards India by targeting civilian structures, including places of worship and hospitals, leading to further conflict.

Beginning their mission at the World Trade Centre memorial reinforces Tharoor's message: “We do not want the world to turn a blind eye. We seek to bring the truth to light.”

In the September 11, 2001 attack, which had links to Pakistan, a staggering 2,731 lives were lost.

Osama bin Laden, the al-Qaeda leader behind the attack, was sheltered by the Pakistani government and was later killed in Abottabad by US Navy SEALs.

Colombia, a nation plagued by years of terrorism, will resonate deeply with the anti-terrorism message.

“This mission will remind the world that India embodies the values we must uphold today: peace, democracy, freedom, and a rejection of hatred and violence,” Tharoor concluded.