‘A Brilliantly Chosen Name’: Shashi Tharoor Explains the Significance of ‘Operation Sindoor’ in the US

During a high-level visit to the United States, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor described Operation Sindoor as a “brilliantly chosen name,” emphasizing its deep cultural and emotional resonance in the wake of the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir.

Tharoor, who is leading an all-party Indian Parliamentary delegation to the US, spoke at an event hosted at the National Press Club in Washington, where he explained the symbolic power behind the name and India’s firm response to Pakistan-backed cross-border terrorism.

Why ‘Sindoor’?

Speaking to an international audience, Tharoor explained the symbolism: sindoor, a vermilion mark traditionally worn by married Hindu women, represents marital commitment and domestic harmony. He noted that many of the victims in the Pahalgam attack were men killed in front of their wives and children—leaving behind women whose sindoor had been tragically “wiped away.”

He shared a chilling account: when one woman begged to be killed along with her husband, the terrorists told her, “No, go back and tell them what we’ve done.”

“The terrorists didn’t just take lives—they targeted what sindoor represents: life, family, and dignity,” Tharoor said. “The colour of sindoor is not very different from the colour of blood. This was more than symbolic; it was deeply personal.”

He referenced a Hindi expression, “Khoon ka badla khoon” (blood for blood), adding, “In this case, it became ‘sindoor ka badla khoon’—blood in response to the violence that wiped away sindoor.”

India Briefs US Lawmakers on Operation Sindoor

The Indian delegation met with bipartisan members of the U.S. Congress to update them on India’s response to terrorism. Among those present were Representatives Ro Khanna, Rich McCormick, Andy Barr, and Marc Veasey—leaders of the India Caucus in the House of Representatives. The U.S. lawmakers expressed their unequivocal condemnation of the Pahalgam attack and reaffirmed support for India’s right to respond to terrorism.

The Indian Embassy later posted on X (formerly Twitter):

“The delegation briefed U.S. lawmakers on cross-border terrorism and India’s strong, united stance. Congressmen expressed bipartisan support for India’s zero-tolerance policy against terrorism.”

Operation Sindoor: A Defining Response

The Indian Armed Forces launched Operation Sindoor on May 7, targeting terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu & Kashmir (PoJK). The operation came in direct response to the April 22 attack in Pahalgam, where 26 civilians, including one Nepali national, were killed.

The operation led to the elimination of over 100 militants associated with groups like Jaish-e-Mohammed, Lashkar-e-Taiba, and Hizbul Mujahideen. India also responded decisively to Pakistani military provocations, targeting key enemy airbases.

Hostilities ended following a ceasefire agreement on May 10.

Strategic Dialogue Continues

The Indian delegation also met with the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee leadership, including Chairman Brian Mast, Ranking Member Gregory Meeks, and regional subcommittee chairs and ranking members such as Bill Huizenga, Ami Bera, and Young Kim.

The committee strongly condemned the Pahalgam terror attack and praised India’s measured yet firm response. According to the Indian Embassy, Operation Sindoor was presented as a “new normal” in India’s counter-terrorism strategy, underscoring the strategic cooperation between India and the United States.

After wrapping up their visit to Brazil, the all-party delegation arrived in Washington with a clear goal: to strengthen international understanding of India’s fight against terrorism and to highlight the human cost of extremist violence.

Operation Sindoor, while military in nature, is deeply symbolic—underscoring both the pain inflicted on Indian families and the country’s resolve to protect its citizens and sovereignty.