Did MEA really misquote Rahul Gandhi on Op-Sindoor?
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Synopsis
In a recent development, the Ministry of External Affairs refutes Rahul Gandhi's claims regarding Operation Sindoor. The allegations suggest that India informed Pakistan prior to the operation. Explore the MEA's official statements and the political implications surrounding these contentious assertions.
Key Takeaways
- MEA denies allegations of notifying Pakistan before Operation Sindoor.
- Rahul Gandhi questions the authorization behind such notifications.
- Clarifications highlight the importance of accurate communication in national security.
- Political implications arise from misinterpretations of official statements.
- Fact-checking reinforces the need for truthful representation in media.
New Delhi, May 17 (NationPress) The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) released a statement on Saturday, denying allegations that External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar claimed India had notified Pakistan ahead of Operation Sindoor. The ministry condemned these claims as a gross misrepresentation of reality.
The MEA's external publicity division noted that S. Jaishankar remarked, “we had warned Pakistan at the start, which is clearly the early phase after Op Sindoor’s commencement.”
“This is being misleadingly portrayed as prior notice. This blatant misrepresentation of facts is being addressed,” the ministry stated.
In the meantime, Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, accused the Narendra Modi-led government of having notified Pakistan about impending actions against terror infrastructure under Operation Sindoor.
The senior Congress leader described this act as a severe violation and demanded clarity on the authorization behind it.
On social media, he posted, “Notifying Pakistan at the onset of our offensive was a grave offense. EAM has publicly acknowledged that the GOI (Government of India) did this. 1. Who gave the green light? 2. How many aircraft did our air force lose as a result?”
In response to these allegations, the MEA firmly rejected Gandhi’s claims, asserting that the EAM's statements had been misinterpreted.
The ministry clarified that India issued a warning to Pakistan during the initial phase of Operation Sindoor—after its commencement, not before.
The MEA's external publicity division reiterated this point, clarifying that Jaishankar had stated: “We warned Pakistan at the start, which is evidently within the early phase after Operation Sindoor commenced.”
The ministry condemned efforts to misrepresent this statement as proof of prior notification.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi vocally criticized EAM Jaishankar’s remarks, labeling the alleged notification to Pakistan a significant error.
He questioned the authorization behind such an action and demanded accountability regarding potential losses sustained by the Indian Air Force as a consequence.
Adding to the debate, the Kerala unit of the Congress party also shared a video of S. Jaishankar’s statement, urging the Central government for transparency.
However, the Press Information Bureau’s fact-checking unit countered these claims, asserting that Jaishankar’s words had indeed been misquoted.
The unit clarified: "A social media post falsely implies from External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar's statement that India informed Pakistan before Operation Sindoor commenced. EAM has been misquoted—he did not make this statement."
Point of View
It is essential to approach this topic with a balanced perspective. The MEA's clarification highlights the importance of accurate communication in matters of national security. Misinterpretations can lead to unnecessary political turmoil. It's crucial for all parties involved to focus on facts rather than speculative narratives.
NationPress
22/07/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What did the MEA say about Rahul Gandhi's claims?
The MEA stated that Rahul Gandhi's claims regarding prior notification to Pakistan about Operation Sindoor are false and misrepresentative.
What was the main assertion made by Rahul Gandhi?
Rahul Gandhi alleged that the government informed Pakistan about impending strikes on terror infrastructure, which he considered a serious misstep.
How did the MEA respond to these allegations?
The MEA rejected the allegations, clarifying that any warning to Pakistan occurred after Operation Sindoor had started, not before.
What did the Press Information Bureau state regarding the situation?
The PIB fact-checking unit stated that S. Jaishankar's words were misquoted and that he did not imply prior notification to Pakistan.
