India-US Counter-Terror Strategy in Focus as Shashi Tharoor Meets VP JD Vance

Washington DC, June 6, 2025 – In a strong diplomatic push to rally international support against Pakistan-sponsored terrorism, a multi-party political delegation from India led by senior Congress MP Shashi Tharoor met with US Vice President JD Vance in Washington DC on Thursday. The high-level discussions focused on counter-terrorism cooperation, Indo-US strategic relations, and ongoing regional tensions following the Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu & Kashmir.

Key Highlights:

• India seeks global backing after Pahalgam terror attack (April 22) killed 12 Indian soldiers.
• Vice President JD Vance, who was in India a day before the attack, has emerged as a key interlocutor for India-US security ties.
• Operation Sindoor (May 7–10) triggered a brief but intense military standoff between India and Pakistan.
• Vance personally alerted Prime Minister Modi of “alarming intelligence” indicating possible escalation by Pakistan.
• India launched precision airstrikes on Pakistani military targets on May 10, hours after the intel tip-off.
• The US-India Congressional Caucus and House Foreign Affairs Committee expressed full support for India’s anti-terror stance.

Real Events That Strengthen This Engagement

This visit comes on the heels of increasing pressure on India’s government to act decisively after the April 22 Pahalgam attack, in which heavily armed Pakistani-backed terrorists ambushed an Indian Army convoy. The deadly assault shocked the nation and led to immediate diplomatic fallout.

Vice President JD Vance, who was in New Delhi on April 21, had a prior meeting with PM Narendra Modi before the attack. He later called Modi to offer condolences and again on May 9 to share crucial intelligence about Pakistan’s possible war preparations.

In response, India initiated Operation Sindoor, conducting cross-border airstrikes and cyber offensives to neutralize terror launchpads and Pakistani radar stations. The Indian government stated that these were pre-emptive strikes based on credible foreign intelligence, reportedly corroborated by the United States.

Strategic Discussions with US Leaders

Posting on X (formerly Twitter), Shashi Tharoor wrote:

“Excellent meeting with Vice President @JDVance today in Washington DC 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.”

The Indian Embassy in Washington confirmed that the meeting revolved around counter-terrorism collaboration, sharing of intelligence, and strategic dialogue to counter regional threats posed by state-sponsored terrorism.

Former Indian Ambassador to the US, Taranjit Singh Sandhu, also part of the delegation, described the talks as “comprehensive, constructive & productive”.

Meetings with US Congress and Bipartisan Support

On Wednesday, the Indian MPs met the House Congressional Caucus on India and Indian Americans co-chaired by Rep. Ro Khanna and Rep. Rich McCormick, as well as vice co-chairs Rep. Andy Barr and Rep. Marc Veasey.

The US lawmakers strongly condemned the Pahalgam attack and backed India’s right to retaliate. They emphasized the importance of zero tolerance against terrorism and recognized India’s role as a key strategic partner in the Indo-Pacific.

Later, the delegation met the House Foreign Affairs Committee (HFAC) leadership, including Chairman Brian Mast and Ranking Member Gregory Meeks, for a focused discussion on terrorism, regional security, and diplomatic coordination.

Tharoor Delegation’s Latin America Tour Before US Leg

Before landing in Washington DC, the Indian delegation had visited Guyana, Panama, Colombia, and Brazil, strengthening India’s diplomatic and parliamentary engagement with the Global South. The tour also aimed at enhancing bilateral trade, diaspora relations, and cooperation in climate and education sectors.

The delegation included MPs Sarfaraz Ahmad, Ganti Harish Madhur Balayogi, Shashank Mani Tripathi, Bhubaneswar Kalita, Milind Deora, and Tejasvi Surya, representing a bipartisan effort to showcase India’s united front on foreign soil.

🛡️ India’s Strategic Takeaways

1. Global Condemnation of Terrorism: The US has reaffirmed its stance against terrorism emanating from Pakistani soil.
2. Intelligence Sharing: Vice President Vance’s early warning played a key role in India’s swift and strategic response.
3. Military Diplomacy: India used precise military action backed by diplomatic assurances, avoiding escalation beyond containment.
4. Stronger Indo-US Partnership: With bipartisan support from American lawmakers, India has solidified its position as a frontline state against global terrorism.