NEW DELHI: The two-day marathon debate in the Lok Sabha as also two days of debate in the Rajya Sabha on Operation Sindoor—India’s military retaliation against Pakistan following the brutal Pahalgam massacre—ended without answers to the most pressing questions raised by the Opposition. What was projected as a decisive strike to “destroy terror camps in Pakistan” now appears riddled with ambiguity, diplomatic confusion, and strategic opacity.
Despite an elaborate and lengthy response from Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the Lok Sabha, the government’s explanation fell short of addressing the core issues. The Leader of the Opposition, Rahul Gandhi, repeatedly questioned the government on the alleged role of U.S. President Donald Trump, who claimed at least 29 times that he facilitated a ceasefire between India and Pakistan during the conflict. This claim has never been officially denied or acknowledged by New Delhi, and Modi’s reply in Parliament did nothing to dispel the confusion except that he claimed that no world leader caused the ceasefire.
The Opposition accused the government of hiding behind rhetoric and avoiding accountability. The Modi government’s assertion that “no global power directed India to halt military operations” was contradicted not only by Trump’s persistent statements but also by visible signs of de-escalation soon after the U.S. and other global powers expressed concern.
Adding to the government’s embarrassment was its failure to address the gruesome Pahalgam incident, where 26 innocent tourists were killed in a terror attack widely believed to be orchestrated from across the border. The House witnessed uproar when no condolence or official mourning was offered for the victims.
The absence of information regarding the identity, origin, and current status of the five attackers further highlighted the government’s apparent lack of preparedness and transparency.
Political observer feel that Key national security questions remained unanswered:
How did the terrorists enter Pahalgam? and where did they go post-attack?
Were they neutralized or are they still at large? The Opposition also questioned the government’s claim of killing three of the terrorists.
How many Indian combat aircraft were lost during the confrontation?
What was the tangible strategic gain from halting the offensive after Trump’s so-called mediation?
Furthermore, the Opposition sought clarity on China’s increasing alignment with Pakistan amid the crisis. The government avoided this critical geopolitical angle, despite evidence of rising China-Pakistan coordination in military and diplomatic spheres.
In summary, the Modi government’s handling of Operation Sindoor has raised more questions than answers. The aggressive rhetoric was not matched by operational clarity or diplomatic consistency. Most troubling is the failure to provide a coherent security brief to the people of India—a lapse that not only diminishes public trust but also undermines India’s credibility on the global stage.
