The Indian Parliament will hold a discussion on ‘Operation Sindoor’ next week, with the Lok Sabha starting the debate on Monday, July 28, followed by the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday. Government officials confirmed to PTI. Both the Houses will be allotted 16 hours for the discussion.
The decision comes despite demands from Opposition parties for the debate to be held immediately, noting that 56 hours of parliamentary time were still available this week.
A senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader cited Prime Minister Narendra Modi's four-day foreign visit, which began Wednesday, as the reason for the delay.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju sought the Opposition's cooperation, having stated at an all-party meeting last week, “We are open to discuss important issues such as Operation Sindoor and the Pahalgam terror attack. These issues are of great importance to the nation. The government will never shy away from discussion.” PTI quoted.
The government is expected to emphasize the success of the military operation and its impact on India's counter-terrorism policy. Meanwhile, the Opposition intends to raise questions about the intelligence failures connected to the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, where 26 civilians were killed.
Additionally, the opposition will also raise questions about the United States’ claims of brokering a ceasefire between India and Pakistan on May 10.
The schedule was finalized in meetings of the Business Advisory Committees of both Houses. While the government has agreed to the debate on Operation Sindoor, it has remained non-committal on other issues the Opposition wishes to discuss, such as the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls in Bihar, reported PTI.
India has stood by its stance that the ceasefire was a direct agreement, not brokered by the United States. The agreement was worked out directly between the two countries after the Director General of Military Operations of Pakistan initiated a call to his Indian counterpart.
While acknowledging that US leadership was in contact during the standoff, the Indian government has refuted claims that this American communication led to the truce.
