NEW YORK, NY— In a solemn ceremony that bridged continents and histories of shared grief, an all-party Indian parliamentary delegation led by Congress MP Shashi Tharoor paid tribute at the 9/11 Memorial in Lower Manhattan on May 24, underscoring a powerful message: unity and vigilance are vital in the global fight against terrorism.
Standing before the twin reflecting pools that honor the 2,977 victims of the September 11, 2001 attacks and the 1993 World Trade Center bombing, the Indian leaders offered white roses and folded their hands in silent tribute. The ceremony, attended by members from across India’s political spectrum, served as a symbol of solidarity with the American people and a stark reminder of the global threat posed by terrorism.
Speaking to the media outside the memorial, Tharoor called upon the influential Indian American community to amplify India’s message of zero tolerance against terrorism. “You are not just numerous, you are prosperous and active in shaping public life here,” he said. “We seek your support to sensitize opinion about the challenges India faces and to act as a force multiplier for our message.”
Tharoor drew a clear parallel between the trauma of 9/11 and India’s own tragic encounters with terrorism, calling for deeper international cooperation. “We have come in a spirit of solidarity, recognizing that both our nations have borne similar wounds inflicted by forces of evil,” he said. “This is a time for mutual strength and solidarity so we can collectively uphold values cherished by the United States—democracy, human freedom, diversity, and coexistence.”
The Indian delegation included MPs Ganti Harish Madhur, Shashank Mani Tripathi, Bhubaneswar Kalita, Milind Deora, and former Ambassador Taranjit Singh Sandhu, as well as India’s Ambassador to the U.S., Vinay Mohan Kwatra. Also present were parliamentarians from parties across India’s political landscape: Shambhavi Chaudhary (Lok Janshakti Party), Sarfaraz Ahmed (Jharkhand Mukti Morcha), G M Harish Balayagi (Telugu Desam Party), Tejaswi Surya and Bhubaneswar Kalita (BJP), and Mallikarjun Devda (Shiv Sena).
The visit comes in the wake of Operation Sindoor, launched by India following the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam.
“Perpetrators of terror must be brought to justice, and our pursuit will not stop,” Tharoor declared. He urged the international community to go beyond UN sanctions and take stronger action against nations that provide safe havens, funding, and training to terrorist groups. “India’s right to self-defense is enshrined in international law, and we will continue to assert that right,” he added.
Beyond the United States, the delegation is visiting Guyana, Panama, Brazil, and Colombia as part of a broader diplomatic initiative to strengthen global consensus against terrorism and project India’s united stance. (With inputs from ANI)
@India-West News Desk
