What's Next for India's Operation Sindoor? Rajnath Singh's Bold Statements on Terrorism

Government's Stance on Terrorism

New Delhi: On Monday, the Indian government emphasized its unwavering commitment to eradicate terrorism, indicating that Operation Sindoor, aimed at targeting terror locations in Pakistan, is currently on hold but could be reinstated if Pakistan engages in any provocative actions.

During a nearly hour-long address in the Lok Sabha, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh invoked spiritual themes to convey that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, India has adopted a more assertive stance against its adversaries.

Singh referenced Lord Krishna, stating, "When the time comes, one must wield the 'Sudarshan Chakra' to uphold dharma. After the attacks on Parliament in 2006 and Mumbai in 2008, we declared 'enough is enough' and took decisive action."

Both Singh and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar refuted claims from opposition parties, particularly the Congress, which suggested that the pause in hostilities with Pakistan was linked to alleged mediation efforts by former US President Donald Trump related to a trade agreement.

Jaishankar clarified that there was no connection between trade discussions and the suspension of Operation Sindoor, noting that there had been no communication between Prime Minister Modi and Trump from April 22 to June 17.

The opposition criticized the government for perceived security failures that led to the Pahalgam attack, demanding accountability from Home Minister Amit Shah and seeking clarification on the number of Indian aircraft reportedly downed during Operation Sindoor.

Congress Deputy Leader Gaurav Gogoi highlighted Trump's repeated assertions about using trade threats to broker a ceasefire, questioning the government on the number of jets lost, emphasizing the financial implications of such losses.

Key figures, including Home Minister Shah and Opposition Leader Rahul Gandhi, are expected to contribute to the ongoing debate, with indications that Prime Minister Modi will conclude the discussion, which has been allocated 16 hours.

Singh noted that Pakistan had employed various weapons, including missiles and drones, to target Indian military and civilian installations, but asserted that these attempts had failed to inflict any damage.

Gandhi pressed Singh for reasons behind the halt of Operation Sindoor, prompting a response from Singh, who reiterated that he had already addressed this matter in his speech.

He quoted a couplet from the Ramcharitmanas, stating, "We targeted those who harmed us," and drew parallels to Lord Hanuman's strategic actions in Lanka.

Singh also referenced poet Tulsidas, emphasizing that love and enmity should be balanced, stating, "If a lion kills a frog, it sends a poor message. Our armed forces are lions."

He asserted that India's historical reputation as a non-aggressor remains intact, emphasizing that war should only be waged against equally matched opponents.

Singh concluded that India is now committed to decisive action, as previous peace initiatives have not yielded the desired outcomes.

Jaishankar remarked that India's diplomatic efforts following the Pahalgam attack resulted in overwhelming international support for India's right to self-defense, with only three out of 190 UN member states opposing Operation Sindoor.

He characterized India's military response to the Pahalgam attack as establishing a 'new normal' in addressing cross-border terrorism, outlining a five-point strategy that includes a firm response to terrorist actions and resisting nuclear coercion.

Jaishankar's address also included critiques of past Congress administrations regarding their handling of terrorism, particularly referencing the 26/11 Mumbai attacks and policies towards China and Pakistan.