Panama Voices Support For India’s Anti-Terror Mission During Parliamentary Meet

In a show of international solidarity, Panama’s National Assembly President Dana Castaneda has declared Panama’s full support for India’s campaign against terrorism, following a meeting with an Indian parliamentary delegation led by MP Shashi Tharoor.

The delegation is visiting the Central American country as part of a global diplomatic mission to raise awareness about India’s zero-tolerance stance on terrorism.

Speaking to the media following the meeting in Panama’s capital, Castaneda said, “Panama wants to stand with India in this campaign for peace, and we hope that we are able to defeat terrorism.”

She described the meeting as constructive and valuable, helping both nations better understand each other’s concerns and commitment to global peace.

The delegation, currently on the third leg of its international tour, is responding to the tragic massacre of 26 people in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir, carried out by terrorists linked to Pakistan.

In response, India launched ‘Operation Sindoor’, targeting nine known terrorist hubs in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), listed by the UN as terrorist organisations.

A Multi-Party United Front

The delegation is notable for its cross-party composition.

Alongside Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, members include BJP MPs Tejasvi Surya and Bhubaneswar Kalita, Shiv Sena’s Milind Deora, LJP (Ram Vilas)’s Shambhavi, JMM’s Sarfaraz Ahmad, TDP’s GM Harish Balayogi, and independent leader Shashank Mani Tripathi.

Tharoor noted, “Though we come from different political backgrounds, we are united in the purpose of our mission.”

Senior Panamanian lawmakers, including Senators Edwin Vergara and Julio de la Guardia, a former ambassador to India, also attended the meeting.

Expressing gratitude, Tharoor said he presented Castaneda with a Kashmiri shawl from the region impacted by terrorism.

In a symbolic gesture, Castaneda gifted him a warrior emblem to encourage India’s continued resilience.

The Indian MPs also visited the Indian Cultural Centre in Panama City and participated in a multi-faith prayer at a local temple.

Tharoor observed, “It was moving to see our Muslim colleague Sarfaraz Ahmad join his Hindu and Sikh colleagues in prayer,” reinforcing the spirit of unity in diversity.

Before returning to the United States on 3 June, the delegation will visit Colombia and Brazil, continuing to raise global awareness and seek international cooperation against terrorism.

The visit to Panama reinforces India’s growing diplomatic reach and the consensus across Indian political lines to confront global terror through coordinated international efforts.

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