Diplomatic win: Colombia withdraws statement condoling deaths in Pakistan

The North News

New Delhi, May 31

Colombia has withdrawn a statement expressing condolences for Pakistani casualties following Indian military strikes, in a diplomatic turnabout after discussions with a visiting Indian parliamentary delegation. The reversal came days after an all-party Indian Parliamentary Delegation held wide-ranging talks with members of the Colombian Council on International Relations during a goodwill visit aimed at strengthening bilateral ties.

The Colombian government had earlier issued a statement of sympathy over the loss of lives in Pakistan after Indian strikes, prompting concern from New Delhi. Shashi Tharoor, who led the Indian delegation, publicly voiced disappointment over Colombia’s response, stating: “We were a little disappointed in the reaction of the Colombian government.”

Following a series of meetings in Bogotá, Colombia’s Vice Foreign Minister, Rosa Yolanda Villavicencio, acknowledged that her government had received “detailed information” from Indian representatives about the situation in Kashmir and the context of the strikes.

“Delightful lunch discussion with thought leaders at the Colombia Council for International Relations today. Engaging exchange of ideas on global geopolitics, India’s role in Latin America, economic development opportunities for India and Colombia. Always enriching to connect with such influential minds,” said Tharoor in his post X.

“We are very confident that with the explanation that we received today and the detailed information that we now have regarding the real situation, the conflict, and what happened in Kashmir, we can also continue the dialogue,” Villavicencio said, signalling a recalibration in Colombia’s stance.

India-Colombia relations, Shashi Tharoor, Kashmir conflict, Colombia foreign policy, India-Pakistan tensions, diplomatic outreach, military strikes, inter-parliamentary delegation, Rosa Yolanda Villavicencio, global south diplomacy