Parliament Gears Up for Debate on Operation Sindoor and Pahalgam Attack

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After a week of disruptions, India’s Parliament is set to shift focus with a high-stakes debate on Operation Sindoor and the recent Pahalgam terror attack. The session marks a turning point in the Monsoon Session, with key figures from both the government and opposition expected to weigh in on issues of national security and foreign policy.

Following days of procedural deadlock, India’s Monsoon Session of Parliament is moving into a decisive phase, as lawmakers prepare for an extensive debate on two critical matters: the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor, a cross-border counterterrorism mission executed by India’s armed forces. The debate is expected to be one of the most consequential in recent years, bringing national security and defense strategies to the forefront of legislative discourse.

The ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA), led by the Bharatiya Janata Party, is poised to present a robust defense of its national security record. Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, and External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar will anchor the government’s position. Prime Minister Narendra Modi may also intervene to show the administration’s firm stance against terrorism and its commitment to safeguarding Indian sovereignty.

Operation Sindoor, widely viewed as a significant milestone in India’s evolving defense doctrine, involved targeted strikes on terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. These precision operations reportedly inflicted substantial damage on Pakistani air bases, demonstrating India’s capacity for swift and decisive military action. Prime Minister Modi hailed the operation as an assertion of a “new normal” in India’s counterterrorism response, one that holds not only terrorists but also their state sponsors accountable.

On the opposition benches, Congress leaders, including Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge, supported by Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav, have raised concerns about intelligence failures leading up to the Pahalgam attack that claimed 26 civilian lives. They are also expected to question the government’s foreign policy posture, particularly about statements made by former U.S. President Donald Trump regarding mediation between India and Pakistan.

In a noteworthy development, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, who led one of the government-sponsored delegations abroad, is said to have praised the handling of Operation Sindoor. His comments have reportedly stirred internal debate within his party. Whether he will be allowed to speak remains uncertain, but sources suggest he could participate given his involvement in the outreach efforts.

Meanwhile, discussions around the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar remain pending, with opposition parties pressing for a separate debate. However, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju clarified that while the government is open to discussions, not all issues can be taken up simultaneously.

The upcoming sessions are expected to set the tone for India’s strategic posture, both domestically and internationally, amid growing security challenges.