**Title:** Aiyar Critiques Tharoor’s Delegation on Pahalgam Attack Response
**Meta Description:** Mani Shankar Aiyar criticizes Shashi Tharoor’s delegation for failing to convey India’s stance on the Pahalgam terror attack, sparking controversy.
**URL Slug:** aiyar-tharoor-pahalgam-attack-response
**Headline:** Mani Shankar Aiyar Challenges Shashi Tharoor’s Delegation on Pahalgam Terror Attack
Former Union Minister Mani Shankar Aiyar has ignited a new controversy by criticizing Congress MP Shashi Tharoor. Aiyar claims that the Operation Sindoor outreach delegation, which Tharoor led, did not effectively communicate India’s message to the international community regarding the Pahalgam terror attack. He asserted that none of the 33 countries visited by the delegation indicated that Pakistan was involved in the attack.
The delegation, which included members from various political parties, including Sarfaraz Ahmad (JMM), Ganti Harish Madhur Balayogi (TDP), Shashank Mani Tripathi (BJP), Bhubaneswar Kalita (BJP), Milind Deora (Shiv Sena), and Tejasvi Surya (BJP), traveled to several nations, including the United States. Their mission was to inform global leaders about India’s precision strikes on May 7, which were a response to the terror attack in the Baisaran Valley that resulted in the deaths of 26 civilians on April 22.
Aiyar stated, “None of the countries visited by Shashi Tharoor’s delegation said that Pakistan was behind the attack. Not even the UN or the US acknowledged it. We are the only ones asserting Pakistan’s responsibility.” He further emphasized that India lacks the evidence needed to convince the world of any Pakistani agency’s involvement in the attack.
In response to Aiyar’s remarks, the Congress party distanced itself from his statements, with spokesperson Randeep Surjewala urging the public not to take Aiyar seriously, labeling him as no longer a member of the party.
The Pahalgam attack, carried out by terrorists from The Resistance Front (TRF), an offshoot of the Pakistani terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba, targeted the Baisaran Valley, resulting in the tragic loss of 26 lives, including 25 tourists. In retaliation, India executed Operation Sindoor, which targeted Pakistani terror infrastructure, destroying nine launch pads and reportedly killing over 100 terrorists during the night of May 6-7.
Following the military response, the Indian government dispatched seven multi-party delegations to over 30 countries to emphasize its strong stance against terrorism. These delegations aimed to highlight the Pahalgam attack and India’s subsequent military actions, reinforcing the nation’s commitment to combating Pakistan-sponsored terrorism.
Interestingly, Colombia, which initially expressed condolences for the victims in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir during the Operation Sindoor strikes, retracted its position after Tharoor’s pointed criticism.
**FAQ Section:**
**Q: What was the purpose of the Operation Sindoor delegation led by Shashi Tharoor?**
A: The delegation aimed to communicate India’s response to the Pahalgam terror attack and to assert India’s position against Pakistan-sponsored terrorism to global leaders.
