The Lok Sabha witnessed tense moments on Monday during a debate on Operation Sindoor, as External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar outlined India’s diplomatic and military response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack.
Repeated interruptions by Congress and other Opposition MPs disrupted his address.
Home Minister Amit Shah intervened, criticising the Opposition’s conduct.
“Do you not trust your own Foreign Minister, who has taken a constitutional oath?” he asked, visibly irked.
Shah accused the Opposition of believing foreign narratives over national institutions.
Taking a direct swipe at Congress, he added, “Just because the word ‘foreign’ is in your party’s name doesn’t mean it should outweigh national interest.”
Calling on Speaker Om Birla to ensure order, Shah demanded Jaishankar be allowed to speak without disruption.
“We, too, can disrupt. If our members start, it won’t be easy to stop them,” he warned. “This is why they’re sitting in the Opposition and will likely stay there for the next 20 years.”
Despite the uproar, Jaishankar continued, presenting India’s diplomatic efforts as a global success in counterterrorism. He said the Pahalgam terror attack prompted strong international reactions due to India’s persistent engagement.
Jaishankar highlighted how the United States designated The Resistance Front (TRF), a Lashkar-e-Tayyiba proxy, as a Foreign Terrorist Organisation.
“This didn’t happen by chance. It’s the result of years of pressure and persuasion,” he noted.
He pointed to actions against terror hubs in Bahawalpur and Muridke, previously seen as untouchable.
“Even China, through BRICS, joined in condemning the attack,” he said.
Citing global support, he added, “Germany said India has every right to defend itself. France and the EU echoed this.”
Jaishankar concluded that India’s security actions now enjoy broad diplomatic validation: “The world is no longer turning a blind eye to terrorism against India.”
