Operation Sindoor Debate: Jaishankar Opens in Rajya Sabha, Amit Shah to Conclude Amid Heated Exchanges

As the parliamentary debate on Operation Sindoor — India’s retaliatory military response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack — entered its third day, External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar opened Wednesday’s proceedings in the Rajya Sabha, declaring that the attack marked a “red line” being crossed by terrorists. He emphasized that India’s response was necessary and proportionate.

The Leader of the House in the Rajya Sabha, JP Nadda, is slated to speak later in the day, while Union Home Minister Amit Shah is expected to deliver the concluding address in Parliament.

Recap of the Debate So Far:

• The Lok Sabha began discussing Operation Sindoor on Monday, followed by the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday.

• On Tuesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi joined the Lok Sabha debate, hailing the Indian Armed Forces’ swift and precise action that, he claimed, avenged the Pahalgam attack in just 22 minutes, striking terror launch pads “in different corners of Pakistan.”

• PM Modi described the current session of Parliament as a “Vijay Utsav”, celebrating military success and national unity.

• In a sharp political attack, he accused the Congress of “relying on Pakistan for political narratives,” compromising national security, and mishandling key issues like the Indus Waters Treaty.

• Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju urged the Opposition to avoid “cheap politics” and acknowledge the government’s clear position as articulated by the Prime Minister.

• On the security front, Amit Shah confirmed Tuesday that three terrorists involved in civilian killings had been eliminated in Operation Mahadev, a parallel anti-terror operation.

Wednesday’s Proceedings:

• The Rajya Sabha was briefly adjourned till noon following demands from Opposition parties to discuss the special revision of Bihar’s electoral rolls.

• Dr. Jaishankar, opening the resumed session, reiterated India’s right to self-defense and international expectations on cross-border terrorism.

• The debate continues in the Rajya Sabha, even as the Lok Sabha discussion concluded on Tuesday.

Operation Sindoor, launched in response to the brutal Pahalgam attack that claimed 26 lives, has become a rallying point for the government to highlight its strong national security stance — and a flashpoint in the political debate over India-Pakistan relations.