'PR exercise...bid to divert attention': Congress downplays Centre's global outreach on Operation Sindoor

Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh. (File/PTI)

The Congress party on Wednesday termed the Indian government's global outreach on Operation Sindoor a "PR exercise" that was an "attempt to divert attention" as opposed to the party which was "raising real issues about terror attacks, China and Pakistan".

Members of Parliament — joined by senior government officials and former ambassadors — will begin visits to multiple countries starting Wednesday to present India’s firm stance against terrorism in the aftermath of Operation Sindoor. A total of 32 countries comprising 59 politicians cutting across party lines have been picked for this unprecedented diplomatic exercise to present India's point of view on Pakistan-based terror and the Indus Waters Treaty.

Reiterating the Congress' demand to the Centre to convene a special session of Parliament to discuss the situation following the Pahalgam attack, Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh accused the Centre of consistently ignoring the Opposition's demands and resorting to decisions such as the caste census and multi-party delegations to divert attention.

#WATCH | On seven MPs' delegations going to different world capitals over Operation Sindoor outreach, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh says, "I feel this is another attempt to divert attention. This is a public relations exercise. We are raising real issues about terrorism and pic.twitter.com/GrZr6hTk09

ANI (@ANI) May 21, 2025

"Since April 22, Congress and other opposition parties have been demanding an all-party meeting. Two meetings were held, but the PM was not present. Later, LoP Rahul Gandhi ji and (Mallikarjun) Kharge ji wrote to the PM to call a special session of Parliament to discuss political issues arising out of this (Pahalgam attack). We have also not discussed the China issue. In the middle of this, to divert attention, they (Centre) announced caste census," Ramesh told news agency ANI.

"As we continued our demand for an all-party meeting and special session of Parliament, they (Central govt) announced the constitution of delegations comprising MPs from various political parties. I feel this is another attempt to divert attention. This is a public relations exercise," he said, accusing the Centre of evading the Opposition's demand for a special session of Parliament to discuss the fallout of the Pahalgam attack.

"We are raising real issues about terrorism and terrorist attacks, China, Pakistan...Why are you not calling a special session of Parliament?" he asked.

The remarks by the Congress comes amid its efforts to corner the government on the issue of national security in wake of the Pahalgam attack, and the resultant conflict between India and Pakistan.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi had earlier accused External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar of compromising on India's interests by "informing Pakistan beforehand" on Operation Sindoor, the military operation by Indian armed forces, targeting terrorist infrastructure at nine locations following the Pahalgam terror attack that left 26 civilians dead.

"Informing Pakistan at the start of our attack was a crime. EAM has publicly admitted that GOI did it. Who authorised it? ⁠How many aircraft did our airforce lose as a result?" Rahul said in a post on X on Saturday.

Rahul was referring to the EAM's statement on Friday where he said: "At the start of the operation, we had sent a message to Pakistan saying we are striking at terrorists’ infrastructure. We are not striking at the military. So the military has an option of standing out and not interfering in this process. They chose not to take that good advice."

Rahul twisted this remark by the minister to allege that India had informed Pakistan before the attack and that was responsible for "losses suffered" during the conflict with Pakistan. The MEA later clarified that Jaishankar was referring to the call made by Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) Lt General Rajiv Ghai to his Pakistani counterpart Major General Kashif Abdullah after the Indian Armed Forces struck nine terror sites in Pakistan and Pakistan Occupied Kashmir between 1 am and 1.30 am on May 7.

Congress media cell head Pawan Khera took Rahul's line of attack a notch up and labelled Jaishankar an informer for Pakistan whose actions had allowed terrorists to escape from the actions of the Indian armed forces.

"Prime Minister Modi and the Foreign Minister will have to answer why this was done...The government should answer how many aircraft did the country lose. What losses did the country suffer? How many terrorists escaped? What does it mean that you informed them? Do you trust the terrorists so much that they will stay there once you inform them? What is your relationship with them? Do you call this strategy? I am sorry, but in village language, it is called mukhbiri (acting as an informant). This is spying, a crime and betrayal," Khera said taking cue from Rahul's statements.