Prime Minister Narendra Modi has asserted that the Opposition's attempt to corner the government through a parliamentary debate on Operation Sindoor has backfired, exposing their disconnect with the nation's sentiments and their reluctance to acknowledge the success of the armed forces. Modi's remarks came during the NDA parliamentary party meeting on Tuesday, where he stated that the Opposition had made a "mistake" by demanding the discussion. He added that they were "badly thrashed" and "shot themselves in the foot" during the debate in the Monsoon session of Parliament.
Operation Sindoor was India's military response to the April 22, 2025, terrorist attack in Pahalgam, which resulted in the death of 26 innocent tourists. The Pakistan-based terrorist group "The Resistance Front" (TRF), an offshoot of Lashkar-e-Taiba, claimed responsibility for the attack. In response, on the night of May 7–8, 2025, the Indian government executed Operation Sindoor, targeting terrorist training camps at nine different locations within Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. The Indian government described the strikes as "focused, measured, and non-escalatory".
During the NDA parliamentary party meeting, Modi emphasized that the entire country celebrated the valour of the troops, while the Opposition raised doubts about their accomplishment. He said that the Opposition failed to grasp the national achievement and must now regret demanding the debate. Modi also accused the Congress and its allies of being unable to accept the operation's success. He said that the world witnessed the strength of a self-reliant India during Operation Sindoor, and that drones and missiles made in India exposed the capabilities of Pakistani arms and ammunition.
The NDA MPs passed a resolution during the meeting, paying tribute to the extraordinary bravery and steadfast dedication of the armed forces during Operation Sindoor. They also commended Modi's exemplary leadership, whose firm resolve, visionary leadership, and decisive actions have not only guided the nation through these testing times but also reignited a collective sense of unity and national pride among all Indians.
The Prime Minister's comments have to be seen against the backdrop of the parliamentary debate where the opposition questioned the government on multiple aspects of the operation. While there was unanimity in praising the armed forces, the opposition sought to put the government on the spot regarding the success of its approach towards Pakistan and whether it had acted under pressure in ending the war. The Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, demanded a pointed response to repeated claims by the then US President that he had mediated the ceasefire, but the Prime Minister evaded a direct response.
Modi's supporters lauded the success of Operation Sindoor, with chants of "Har Har Mahadev" echoing as he was felicitated at the NDA meeting. Union Defence Minister Amit Shah garlanded him amid warm applause by the NDA MPs. Modi urged NDA leaders to amplify the collective voice of a "New India," which has resolutely responded to terrorists and their patrons.
In the aftermath of Operation Sindoor, India had sent joint teams, including several MPs from the Opposition, abroad to garner support for India. The Prime Minister ensured that 59 Members of Parliament from across parties visited 32 countries to present India's point of view, calling it one of the most comprehensive global outreach efforts ever launched by India.
