Panama has voiced firm support for India’s position against terrorism, asserting that it has no place in today’s world. The endorsement came during an official visit by an all-party Indian parliamentary delegation led by Congress MP Shashi Tharoor.
Panama’s Foreign Minister Javier Martínez Acha, during the delegation’s visit, remarked, “Your visit here represents more than you can imagine: Panama's commitment to fighting against terrorism and to be together against these terror attacks that would affect anybody. We condemn what happened in Kashmir and stand in solidarity with India.”
The delegation, part of a broader diplomatic initiative, is one of seven multi-party teams assigned by New Delhi to visit 33 global capitals in the wake of the 22 April Pahalgam terror attack, which left 26 people dead.
The Indian delegation, which arrived in Panama on Tuesday, held high-level meetings on Wednesday with Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino Quintero and Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Carlos Arturo Hoyos.
Taking to social media platform X, Tharoor described the meeting with President Quintero at the presidential palace as “constructive and productive”.
“The President graciously expressed his understanding and support for India’s fight against terrorism,” he wrote.
BJP MP Tejasvi Surya, who is also part of the delegation, posted: “The president also noted India’s security concerns and was absolutely clear that terrorism has no place in today's world while supporting India's stand.”
Surya added that the delegation unequivocally communicated India’s “firm stance against Pakistan-sponsored terrorism”. He stated that while India is focused on “economic development and uplifting its people, Pakistan continues its obsession with destabilising our nation through a policy of bleeding by a thousand cuts.”
Surya, speaking in Panama City, stated, “Most of the terror attacks that have taken place over the last few decades have emanated from Pakistan and have not restricted themselves to their immediate geography but have left footprints all over the world. Osama Bin Laden was found in Pakistan. The roots of the 9/11 attacks were traced to Pakistan. The 26/11 Mumbai terror attack was masterminded from Pakistan.”
The delegation also held discussions with Panamanian Foreign Minister Javier Martinez-Acha, Vice-Minister Carlos Hoyos and other senior officials.
Also read: "Have better things to do": Tharoor's sharp reply to Cong's barbs
Milind Deora, Shiv Sena MP and delegation member, said the exchanges were “excellent and constructive.” He added: “Grateful for his unequivocal support for India’s stance against terrorism & for strengthening India–Panama ties across strategic & economic fronts.”
The Indian Embassy in Panama, Nicaragua and Costa Rica echoed the sentiment in a post on X, stating: “The message from Panama Government is loud and clear: Zero Tolerance For Terrorism.”
On Tuesday, the Indian team also met Dana Castaneda, President (Speaker) of Panama’s National Assembly, who reportedly pledged “full support to India in its fight against terrorism.”
The delegation, apart from Tharoor, Surya and Deora, includes Sarfraz Ahmad (Jharkhand Mukti Morcha), G M Harish Balayogi (Telugu Desam Party), Shashank Mani Tripathi (BJP), Bhubaneswar Kalita (BJP), and Taranjit Singh Sandhu, former Indian Ambassador to the United States.
The team arrived in Panama from Guyana and is scheduled to continue its diplomatic outreach in Colombia on Thursday, followed by visits to Brazil and the United States.
The international push follows India’s precision strikes under Operation Sindoor on 7 May, targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. In response, Pakistan attempted retaliatory strikes on 8, 9 and 10 May, all of which drew firm counteraction from Indian forces.
Follow us
