Jaishankar denies Congress allegations of informing Pakistan about Operation Sindoor, calling it a “misrepresentation” and urging national unity.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Monday addressed the ongoing controversy regarding India’s Operation Sindoor, refuting Congress party’s allegations that he had informed Pakistan ahead of the military strikes. During a consultative committee meeting in Parliament, Jaishankar labeled the allegations as “dishonest” and a “misrepresentation of events,” while providing clarity on key issues raised by MPs, including concerns related to the role of the United States, the Indus Water Treaty, and the details surrounding Operation Sindoor.
According to sources present at the meeting, Jaishankar emphasized that India’s military action had successfully hit Pakistan’s morale by targeting terror infrastructure in a precise manner. Responding to questions from MPs, he also clarified that after the operation was completed, India’s Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) informed Pakistan’s DGMO about the action, not before it began, as was wrongly suggested by the opposition.
The controversy erupted after Congress leader Rahul Gandhi accused Jaishankar of publicly admitting that India had informed Pakistan about the operation in advance. Gandhi raised concerns about the potential damage caused by sharing such sensitive information, questioning how many Indian Air Force aircraft were lost due to this communication. Gandhi also referenced a video clip in which Jaishankar purportedly said, “At the start of the operation, we had sent a message to Pakistan, saying, ‘We are striking at terrorist infrastructure and we are not striking at the military. The military has the option of standing out and not interfering in this process.”
In response, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) issued a strong rebuttal, calling the accusations an “utter misrepresentation.” A spokesperson from the MEA insisted that Jaishankar had been misquoted, and the Press Information Bureau (PIB) fact-checked the video, asserting that the minister did not make any such claims about informing Pakistan prior to the operation.
During the consultative committee meeting, MPs also inquired about the involvement of the United States in the operation, particularly whether there had been any mediation. Jaishankar made it clear that the U.S. did not play any role in facilitating the operation, adding that when the U.S. reached out, India made it clear that discussions would only take place at the DGMO level.
Another significant point of discussion was the Indus Water Treaty, with MPs asking whether India intended to resume or modify the agreement. The government’s response was that the treaty is currently in a state of “abeyance,” and there were no immediate plans to revisit or alter its terms.
The debate surrounding Operation Sindoor has sparked a political storm, with opposition parties demanding further clarification on the matter. The government, however, maintains that there was no advance communication with Pakistan, reiterating that all actions taken were in the best interest of national security. As the controversy continues to unfold, the MEA has urged the public to rely on verified facts and avoid spreading misinformation.
Jaishankar concluded his address by calling for “national unity,” emphasising the importance of presenting a unified front as India continues to engage diplomatically with the international community on issues related to cross-border terrorism.
(Inputs from Vijay Laxmi)