Rafale, Trump, ‘new normal’ with Pakistan: Who said what in Operation Sindoor debate in Lok Sabha

By Admin

29 Jul, 2025

A fiery debate unfolded in the Lok Sabha over Operation Sindoor, India’s military response to the Pahalgam terror attack. This special debate not only intensified the political clash between the Narendra Modi-led government and the Congress-led opposition, but also set the stage for further deliberations in the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah are expected to address the House.

Rajnath Singh’s Clarification: No Major Losses, Yes to Success

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh laid out a detailed account of Operation Sindoor, dismissing concerns about significant military losses. “No important assets were damaged,” he affirmed, addressing criticism regarding the potential loss of fighter jets.

He emphasized that India’s primary goal was to target terrorist infrastructure and clarified, “If they (opposition) must ask a question, it should be whether India destroyed terrorist bases   and the answer is yes. If you want to know whether Operation Sindoor was successful   again, the answer is yes.”

Singh also revealed that India halted further strikes following a request from Pakistan. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s sharp interjection   “Why did we stop?”   prompted Singh to restate that India’s intention was not escalation but a clear message to the perpetrators.

Rafale Under Fire: Gaurav Gogoi’s Tough Questions

Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi followed Rajnath Singh with pointed inquiries. "How many of our fighter jets were downed?" he asked, questioning the government's transparency. Highlighting the limited number of Rafale jets in the Indian arsenal, Gogoi remarked, “There are just 35 Rafale jets in India; you thought those many were enough. And if some of them have been downed, I think it is a big loss.”

He criticized the decision to cease the operation mid-way and argued that India should have pushed further, even suggesting reclaiming Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

Trump's Ceasefire Claims Dismissed: Jaishankar and Shah Fire Back

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar addressed international concerns and clarified that Operation Sindoor represents a “new normal” in India’s fight against cross-border terrorism. In an apparent rebuttal to US President Donald Trump’s claims of brokering peace, Jaishankar categorically stated, “At no stage in any conversation with the US was there any linkage with trade and what was going on.”

Trump had repeatedly suggested he convinced both India and Pakistan to halt military action by threatening to cut off trade. Jaishankar’s denial triggered disruptions from the opposition, prompting Home Minister Amit Shah to lash out: “They don't have faith in an Indian foreign minister, but they have faith in some other country.” He further mocked the Congress by saying, “This is the reason Congress is on the opposition benches   and will stay there for the next 20 years.”

War of Words and Rare Praise

BJP MP Anurag Thakur didn’t hold back in accusing Rahul Gandhi of showing “sympathy for Pakistan,” while TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee took a jibe at PM Modi, sarcastically noting that his famous “56-inch chest” shrinks before President Trump.

However, amidst the intense political sparring, NCP (SP) MP Supriya Sule struck a more conciliatory tone. While remaining critical of some aspects, she appreciated PM Modi’s decision to include opposition leaders in international delegations, saying, “When it comes to national duty, first comes the country, then the state, then party and then family.”

Looking Ahead

As the debate moves to the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday, all eyes are on Prime Minister Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah. With the opposition demanding transparency and the government defending the operation as a strategic success, the discourse around Operation Sindoor is far from over.