Diplomatic face-off in US: India hits home run, Pakistan heads home embarrassed

Shashi Tharoor led the Indian delegation while PPP leader Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari was heading the Pakistani team

In what was a clear battle of perception on American soil, India’s diplomatic outreach post-Operation Sindoor has significantly outclassed Pakistan’s attempts to peddle its narrative, leaving Islamabad visibly embarrassed on the global stage.

India has sent delegations to multiple countries following its military conflict with Pakistan in May. The objective of the delegations was to brief the countries about Operation Sindoor and expose Pakistan's terror links that prompted the military action by India.

Pakistan later copied India's move, dispatching its own team of delegates to countries to counter New Delhi's diplomatic offensive. This culminated in both the Indian delegation — led by Congress MP Shashi Tharoor — and Pakistani delegation — led by Bilawal Bhutto Zardari — being in US at the same time last week. However, the outcome was strikingly different.

While India’s all-party parliamentary delegation secured high-level meetings and strong statements of support from American politicians, Pakistan’s team faced a stinging public rebuke and was seen pleading for American weapons.

A stark contrast in optics

The Indian delegation met US Vice President JD Vance, Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau, and other senior interlocutors, receiving unambiguous support for its counter-terrorism stance.

Landau, after his meeting with the Indian MPs, said: “I reaffirmed that the US stands strong with India in the fight against terrorism. We discussed the US-India strategic relationship, including expanding trade and commercial ties to foster growth and prosperity for both countries.”

A statement from US State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce reinforced this, noting that Landau had “reaffirmed the United States’ strong support of India in the fight against terrorism and the strategic partnership between the two countries."

Vice President Vance too offered wholehearted solidarity. Tharoor described the meeting with Vance as “excellent” and said: “Vance expressed complete understanding, first of all, outrage of what happened in Pahalgam and support and respect for India’s restrained response in Operation Sindoor.”

By contrast, the Pakistani delegation walked away with little to show — and much to regret.

Public scolding, awkward pleas

In a moment that perfectly encapsulated the Pakistani team’s diplomatic failure, senior US lawmaker Brad Sherman delivered a sharp rebuke in a meeting with Bhutto's delegation.

Sherman told the Pakistani side that the country should do “all it can" to eliminate the “vile" terrorist group Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) and protect religious minorities.

"I emphasised to the Pakistani delegation the importance of combating terrorism, and in particular, the group Jaish-e-Mohammed, who murdered my constituent Daniel Pearl in 2002," Sherman said on X later.

"Pearl’s family continues to live in my district, and Pakistan should do all it can to eliminate this vile group and combat terrorism in the region," he added, referring to the tragic murder of the US journalist by al-Qaeda terrorists.

Sherman also used the meeting to press Pakistan on another sore point — the continued jailing of Dr Shakil Afridi, the doctor who helped the CIA locate Osama bin Laden in Abbottabad.

"Freeing Dr Afridi represents an important step in bringing closure for victims of 9/11," Sherman said.

On religious freedom, Sherman did not mince his words either: “Christians, Hindus, and Ahmadiyya Muslims living in Pakistan must be allowed to practice their faith and participate in a democratic system without the fear of violence, persecution and discrimination."

Pakistani desperation exposed

Another humiliating moment came from Pakistan itself.

In a widely circulated video, Pakistan’s federal minister Musadik Malik made an extraordinary public plea to the US for advanced air defence systems and fighter jets — in stark contrast to Islamabad’s domestic boasts of military strength.

"India came at with 80 planes carrying 400 missiles, some of which are capable of carrying nuclear warheads. You have seen what would have happened to us. We would have been in rubbles if we had no air defence systems... The technology that India was deploying is far advanced. So, we say bring it on man, give those technologies to us we will buy them from you," Malik was heard saying.

The public admission came at a time when Pakistan is trying to project itself as a "victor" in the escalation, going as far as to elevate General Asim Munir to the highest military rank of Field Marshall.

Clear winner in perception war

While India’s delegation left Washington with clear statements of US solidarity and reaffirmed strategic ties, Pakistan’s effort to deflect criticism and seek sympathy backfired.

India’s message — that it is fighting a just war against terrorism and acting with restraint and resolve — resonated with American policymakers. Pakistan’s inability to convincingly distance itself from terror groups, coupled with its public pleas for military aid, left it looking desperate and defensive.

In the battle of narratives that followed Operation Sindoor, New Delhi emerged as the confident, credible player. Islamabad, in contrast, came off looking cornered and compromised.