Panama’s Foreign Minister, Javier Martínez Acha, has unequivocally thrown his country’s weight behind India’s long-standing bid for a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council. During a high-level meeting in Panama City, a multilateral Indian delegation led by Congress MP Shashi Tharoor presented Minister Acha with photographic evidence showing Pakistani military officers attending the funerals of individuals officially designated as terrorists by the UN—those eliminated during India’s recent Operation Sindoor.
Expressing his nation’s firm support, Minister Acha declared, “India deserves to join the United Nations Security Council as a permanent member. Our bilateral relationship is founded on mutual respect, shared democratic ideals, and a common vision for global prosperity, peace, and inclusive development.” He added that Panama stands ready to work alongside India to secure this crucial reform of the Security Council’s composition.
On terrorism and accountability
In the course of their discussions, Shashi Tharoor emphasized that “terrorism must never serve as a tool for settling international disputes.” He reminded Minister Acha that when problems arise, there are lawful diplomatic channels and peaceful mechanisms to address them. “Deploying terrorists across borders is completely unacceptable. We will pursue justice rigorously—targeting not only those who perpetrate these heinous acts, but also those who harbor, fund, train, arm, or direct them,” Tharoor insisted.
Solidarity after the Pahalgam attack
Earlier in the visit, Minister Acha condemned the brutal October 2024 terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir, which claimed 26 lives. Reaffirming Panama’s unwavering stance against terrorism, he stated, “Any country that serves as a safe haven for terrorists must face international condemnation. Panama is committed to standing united with India and the global community in the fight against these cowardly attacks.”
Reiterating this position in remarks to ANI, Minister Acha made clear: “We cannot tolerate states that sponsor terrorism. As the world’s largest democracy, India upholds fundamental principles of justice and human rights—values we share and will defend together. Panama stands with India in the absolute rejection of all forms of terrorism.”
