New Delhi [India], July 29 : Congress leader and former Union Minister P Chidambaram on Tuesday stated that India's war during Operation Sindoor was not just a conflict against Pakistan, but a combined threat posed by both Pakistan and China.
Speaking during the debate on Operation Sindoor in the Rajya Sabha, Chidambaram stated that India was not just fighting a one-front or two-front war scenario, but a fusion of both Pakistan and China.
"Deputy Chief of Army Staff has admitted to the Chinese aircraft and missiles being deployed by Pakistan during the Operation Sindoor. If that is true, then the conclusion is that Pakistan has been testing Chinese missiles, and India is not fighting a one-front or two-front war scenario, but a fused front war of China and Pakistan together," Chidambaram said.
"Pakistan and China are no longer different fronts, but a fused front. The pilots were Pakistanis, but the aircraft were Chinese. The finger was of Pakistani military leaders but missiles were Chinese. The operator was Pakistani, but the drones were from Turkey. Where is your plan to fight not a one-front war, not a two-front war, but a fused front war of India fighting Pakistan and China fused together?" the Congress leader asked.
Speaking on the government's reluctant behaviour to hold a special session of the Parliament on the Operation Sindoor, Chidambaram stated that it would take time to tell whether the operation was "decisive".
"We have been demanding a special session of the Parliament to discuss the Operation Sindoor, but for their own reasons, the government kept denying it. Anywhere around the world, every time there is a war, there is a session in the Parliament to discuss various aspects of the war. So if you ask me, I would call the Operation Sindoor successful, but only time will tell if it was decisive or not..." Chidambaram further stated.
Alleging India's intelligence failure, the Congress MP also questioned why the country agreed to a ceasefire when the military leadership had admitted to "tactical mistakes."
"I agree that India's leadership during the Operation Sindoor was exemplary, but our military personnel have admitted to tactical mistakes and losses. I call the CDS candid for admitting to their losses. I also have questions on why we agreed to a ceasefire," he added.
Highlighting the after-effects of Operation Sindoor, Chidambaram questioned why delegations were sent to all countries, excluding our immediate neighbours.
"Post Operation Sindoor, we sent our delegations to several countries, but not to our immediate neighbours. My questions revolve around why. Have we given up on our immediate neighbours? My next question is, have any of the countries we sent delegations to condemn, name and shame Pakistan? Not to what I know," he said.
"On May 25, the IMF approved funds to Pakistan, and India abstained from voting on the proposal. Why? Who supported us? While everyone voted for and on the proposal, we were the only one who abstained it....what makes things worse for us is that Pakistan is being elected for several higher positions despite being the one to initiate the attack on us...." he added.
P Chidambaram further mocked the Prime Minister Narendra Modi's statement on "abh ki baar Trump sarkaar" (this time Trump's government) made five years ago, questioning why there had been no protests by the Indian government on the ceasefire announcement.
"I am sure PM Modi is going to regret his statements on abh ki baar Trump ki sarkaar. Why has the Indian government not protested on the statements made by Trump on the ceasefire between India and Pakistan, along with the other decisions Trump has made..." Chidambaram stated.
The veteran Congress leader further appealed to the government to show "exemplary leadership", be candid and take the country forward with smart decisions.
"I appeal to the government to show exemplary leadership, be candid and take the country forward with smart decisions...." he concluded.