Chidambaram attacks Centre over ceasefire after Operation Sindoor

Congress leader and former home minister P Chidambaram on Tuesday lauded India’s military leadership during and after Operation Sindoor, but accused the Centre of failing to match its candour, decisiveness, and strategy.

- Sejal Sharma

Participating in the special discussion in Rajya Sabha on Operation Sindoor, the Congress veteran said, “The Chief of Defence Staff was candid about losses. The Deputy Chief of Army Staff admitted Chinese aircraft and missiles were deployed by Pakistan. If true, China is testing its military hardware in our conflict.” Drawing a parallel with the this transparency with the government's response, he said, “Where is the strategy? Why has the government not admitted the intelligence and security failures that led to the Pahalgam attack?”

The former home minister also questioned why India agreed to do a ceasefire when the operation against Pakistan was successful.

Referring to the Bangladesh war of 1971, he said, “On December 16, 1971, there was a historic victory. General Niazi surrendered to General Jagjit Singh Aurora along with 93,000 soldiers. It was the largest surrender of prisoners of war after World War II. On the contrary, Operation Sindoor ended with a ceasefire. I think the people of India know the difference between a surrender and a ceasefire.”