Hardeep Singh Puri on India’s dealing with Pakistan in pre-Modi era: ‘Did we retaliate after 26/11 Mumbai attack?’

Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said the pre-Modi era of dealing with Pakistan was a 'theatre of the absurd'

Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said the pre-Modi era of dealing with Pakistan was a “theatre of the absurd”. According to him, there is a “streak of maturity” in the conduct of Operation Sindoor.

The minister told Indian Express that it is a “different ballgame” now. “I can’t see why educated people are not able to see it when, more or less, the whole world sees it,” he said. “Earlier, you allowed Pakistan to use terror as an instrument of state policy … You would take whatever they said at face value and have negotiations with them … The pre-Modi era of dealing with Pakistan was a theatre of the absurd.”

Puri also questioned the Opposition’s actions during the 26/11 attack.

“When the 26/11 attack happened, I was having dinner to welcome the head of the International Institute of Peace and Security Walter Chipman, where the current LoP was also present … He apparently went to a party in a farmhouse after that. Was there action after the Mumbai attack? A former foreign secretary said they exercised restraint, though they had choices. Tie it in a bundle and keep it in a museum,” he told IE.

Puri said during Operation Sindoor it was not Balakot and “just one strike”. “We went hundreds of kilometres inside and hit terror infrastructure, and also the security infrastructure in places such as Muridke, Bahawalpur, and Nur Yar Khan airbase that facilitate terror projects. I think the beauty of the current situation lies in the message. In 22 minutes, we gave a befitting response, and the devastation caused is empirically verifiable through satellite imagery, which is out in the public domain,” said Puri.

Dismissing the Opposition’s criticism over the timing of the ceasefire, Puri told IE that the choice of targets was a “purely military decision”. “…So was the one taken on when to cease hostilities, both of which were endorsed by the political leadership. I don’t think armchair critics can sit back and say ‘nahi, abhi thoda aur (no, some more)’. Let the political leadership decide,” he said.

According to Puri, people across the world applaud mature statesmanship. “See what we have done. We pulverised nine of their (Pakistani) installations in 22 minutes. Did they do anything? All kinds of drones came, and we neutralised them,” Puri told IE.

Modi govt’s achievements

The Narendra Modi-led NDA government marked its first anniversary in its third term on Monday.

Listing out the three biggest achievements of the Modi regime, Puri said spreading the benefits of developments and the dispersal of goods and services is the “biggest achievement”. “Second is the shift from women-centred to women-led development. I believe development is more stable and growth is faster when women form the core. Third, which I think is very important but not easily understood, is successfully reclaiming pride in our civilisation and cultural past …,” he said.

Speaking about the Opposition slamming the Centre over US President Donald Trump’s announcement of the ceasefire, Puri said a lot of people will interpret statements made by global leaders. “I don’t think it will serve any purpose adding mine to it. We have a consistent policy of dealing with Pakistan bilaterally. Since the operation is ongoing, let us hold that judgment and wait,” he said.

The minister said the current India is “different”.

“We have said any act of terror will be seen as an act of war and that is unambiguous. There is no need for strategic ambiguity,” said Puri.