NEW DELHI: The Indian government, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is under mounting criticism following External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar’s revelation that India informed Pakistan in advance of its May 6 military operation, codenamed Operation Sindoor, which targeted alleged terrorist infrastructure across the border.
Jaishankar’s disclosure has sparked outrage among opposition leaders, defence analysts, and social media users, many of whom argue that forewarning Pakistan may have jeopardised the mission’s success by allowing it to mobilise air defence systems and protect high-value targets.
The Congress party has emerged as a leading voice of dissent. Its Kerala unit took to X (formerly Twitter), stating that Jaishankar’s actions make him “not worthy of staying as external affairs minister.” Social media criticism has been swift and scathing, with users accusing the BJP government of compromising operational effectiveness for the sake of political optics.
Defending the decision, Jaishankar told reporters on Wednesday that India made it clear to Pakistan that the strikes were “targeted solely at terrorist infrastructure, not military installations.” He added, “We gave Pakistan the option to remain a silent bystander and not intervene, but they chose to ignore this prudent advice.”
However, the controversy deepened after Pakistan’s military claimed it successfully defended its airspace during the operation, shooting down five Indian fighter jets — including three advanced Rafale aircraft. India has not officially confirmed any losses, remaining tight-lipped about the outcome of the operation.
The fallout has triggered broader questions about the Modi government’s strategic thinking and foreign policy direction. Defence analyst and journalist Pravin Sawhney, in an article published Friday, criticized the government’s approach, calling it “a foreign policy driven by arrogance” and lacking critical foresight.
Sawhney also noted that only two entities came out in India’s support after the operation: Israel and the Taliban regime in Afghanistan — the latter not officially recognised by India or the international community.
In a further diplomatic development, Jaishankar spoke on Thursday with Afghanistan’s Acting Foreign Minister Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi, thanking him for condemning the recent Pahalgam attack. In a post on X, Jaishankar welcomed the Taliban’s rejection of “false reports aimed at creating distrust” and expressed India’s continued commitment to Afghanistan’s development.
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As the controversy continues to escalate, the Modi government faces renewed scrutiny over its handling of national security and foreign affairs, with calls growing for transparency and accountability in the wake of Operation Sindoor.
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