Washington, DC [US], June 6 (ANI) – BJP MP Tejasvi Surya, a member of the all-party delegation led by Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, stated that the delegation had a “fantastic meeting” with US Vice President JD Vance, who expressed complete support for India’s stance in combating terrorism.
Speaking to ANI, Surya noted that Vice President Vance was unequivocal in backing India’s right to act in self-defense following the recent terror attack in Pahalgam. Surya said, “Vice President Vance was unequivocal, categorical in his support for India’s stance against terrorism. He was very clear that India exercised its right to deter further terrorist attacks from Pakistan and sympathized with the victims of the Pahalgam attack.”
Surya added, “He mentioned that he was in India when the attack occurred and witnessed firsthand the outrage and anger among the Indian people in response to this brutal and cruel act of terrorism. He expressed full support to the Government of India in its fight against terror and appreciated the responsible restraint India showed despite repeated provocations by Pakistan. India dealt with the issue both militarily and diplomatically, and he acknowledged that.”
The BJP MP also emphasized Vance’s enthusiasm for deepening economic ties between the two nations. “He expressed the enthusiasm that he and the US government share regarding trade and partnership with India. He spoke about the personal bond he shares with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and acknowledged the transformation India is undergoing toward prosperity, growth, and progress,” Surya stated.
He added, “The meetings we’ve had with senior senators and Congressmen over the past two days have been very productive, but today’s meeting with the Vice President was the cherry on top. It has further strengthened the growing relationship between our two great nations.”
Vice President Vance and his family were on an official four-day visit to India in April, during which the Pahalgam attack occurred. During the visit, Prime Minister Modi hosted Vance and his family at his Lok Kalyan Marg residence in New Delhi. Vance’s children—Vivek, Ewan, and Mirabel Rose—shared several warm moments with the Prime Minister.
The Indian Embassy in Washington confirmed the high-level meeting, stating on X: “The All Party Parliamentary Delegation led by Dr. @ShashiTharoor called on Vice President JD Vance @VP this morning. The conversation focused on strengthening the India–US partnership, including cooperation in the counter-terrorism domain.”
Tharoor also shared details of the meeting on X, writing, “Excellent meeting with Vice President @JDVance today in Washington D.C. with our delegation. We had comprehensive discussions covering a wide array of critical issues, from counter-terrorism efforts to enhancing technological cooperation. A truly constructive & productive exchange for strengthening India-US strategic partnership, with a great meeting of minds. #IndiaUS #Diplomacy #StrategicPartnership.”
The all-party delegation includes Shambhavi Chaudhary (Lok Janshakti Party), Sarfaraz Ahmed (Jharkhand Mukti Morcha), GM Harish Balayogi (Telugu Desam Party), Shashank Mani Tripathi, Tejasvi Surya and Bhubaneswar Kalita (all from the BJP), Mallikarjun Devda (Shiv Sena), Shiv Sena MP Milind Deora, and former Indian Ambassador to the US Taranjit Singh Sandhu.
As part of their visit, the delegation met with the leadership of the House Congressional Caucus on India and Indian Americans in the 119th Congress, including co-chairs Rep. Ro Khanna and Rep. Rich McCormick, and vice co-chairs Rep. Andy Barr and Rep. Marc Veasey.
They also held a high-power meeting with the House Foreign Affairs Committee (HFAC), hosted by Chairman Rep. Brian Mast and Ranking Member Rep. Gregory Meeks. In attendance were HFAC’s South and Central Asia Subcommittee Chair Rep. Bill Huizenga, Ranking Member Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove, and East Asia and Pacific Subcommittee Chair Rep. Young Kim and Ranking Member Rep. Ami Bera.
Additionally, the delegation met Rep. Lisa McClain, Chairwoman of the House Republican Conference, the highest-ranking woman in Congress. The group also held engagements with members of the Indian diaspora in the US.
The visit is aimed at briefing key stakeholders in the US on Operation Sindoor, India’s diplomatic initiative to combat terrorism and disinformation, launched in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir, which claimed 26 lives and injured several others.
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