An all-party Indian delegation, led by Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, arrived in Washington D.C. today as part of a two-day diplomatic mission aimed at deepening India-US ties and discussing Operation Sindoor, India’s comprehensive response to recent terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir.
The delegation, which reflects India’s diverse political spectrum, will engage with senior members of the US Congress, including the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, the House Foreign Affairs Committee, and the India Caucus, as confirmed by a tweet from the Indian Embassy in the US.
As part of its diplomatic outreach, the group will also interact with scholars at leading think tanks, address the media, and speak at a high-profile event hosted by the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR). The CFR talk will be streamed live, offering a window into India’s evolving foreign policy strategy and counter-terror narrative.
Upon arrival, Shashi Tharoor was welcomed by Indian-American police officers Harmanpreet Singh and Hundal, symbolising the strong cultural bridge between the nations. Tharoor also recorded an interview with CBS News and later met Ambassador Vinay Kwatra and his diplomatic team for a strategic briefing.
The delegation is composed of notable Members of Parliament and diplomats, including Sarfaraz Ahmad, Ganti Harish Madhur, Shashank Mani Tripathi, Bhubaneswar Kalita, Tejasvi Surya, and former Ambassador Taranjit Singh Sandhu. Their presence underlines the bipartisan Indian approach to foreign affairs and counterterrorism.
Before landing in Washington, the team wrapped up its diplomatic visit to Belgium, making this the final stop of its international engagement tour.
Interestingly, the timing of the visit overlaps with that of a Pakistani delegation led by Bilawal Bhutto, who is also in Washington. Tharoor acknowledged the concurrent presence, describing it as a “duelling delegations” scenario. However, he expressed confidence in India’s position, stating that the international community, particularly those concerned about terrorism and regional stability in South Asia, would be receptive to India’s stance.
Highlighting the purpose of the visit, Tharoor said the delegation will provide clarity on Operation Sindoor — India’s post-Pahalgam attack initiative targeting terror infrastructure and countering disinformation. He emphasized the importance of engaging US media and policymakers on this front.
During the visit, the Indian delegation will also connect with members of the Indian diaspora, further strengthening community ties and garnering support from a population with growing influence in American public life.
