New Delhi Delegation Remembers 9/11 Victims
An Indian delegation, led by Shashi Tharoor, is currently in the US to highlight Pakistan’s involvement in terrorism affecting India. Their visit included a poignant stop at the 9/11 memorial, where nearly 3,000 lives were lost in the 2001 attacks that targeted the World Trade Center and the Pentagon.
The group, which includes BJP MPs like Bhubaneswar Kalita and Shashank Mani Tripathi, as well as Milind Deora from Shiv Sena and Taranjit Singh Sandhu, a former diplomat, paid their respects at the memorial.
After their visit, Tharoor expressed that it was a “very moving moment.” He emphasized that it served as a strong reminder of ongoing challenges with terrorism—not just in the US but also in India. Tharoor remarked, “This city still bears the scars of that savage terrorist attack, and we, too, have faced numerous terrorist attacks in our country.” It’s striking how the impact of such tragedies connects nations in shared grief.
Tharoor noted, “We reminded ourselves of this shared issue and of our solidarity with the victims, including those from India. It’s a global tragedy and one we need to confront together.”
The delegation’s visit comes in the context of heightened tensions following a recent terrorist attack in Pahargam, India, which resulted in the deaths of 26 people. Tharoor is part of a broader initiative, named Operation Sindoah, aimed at addressing these challenges on an international level.
On May 7, India conducted airstrikes targeting terrorist infrastructure in Kashmir. Although these actions were aimed solely at terrorist bases, Pakistan retaliated with drone strikes on Indian facilities. This back-and-forth escalated until a ceasefire was negotiated on May 10 at Pakistan’s request. While Islamabad expressed gratitude towards the US for intervening, New Delhi was more reserved, suggesting Washington’s role was minimal and primarily concerned.
In a recent interview, Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar commented on the situation, stating that while US officials like Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Vice President JD Vance did reach out, their role seemed mostly focused on expressing concern. “We’ve communicated clearly that if Pakistan wants to de-escalate, they need to have a dialogue with us,” Jaishankar concluded.
