The statement by Chief of Defense Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan in Singapore has stirred political waves across the nation. On Sunday, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh emphasized the seriousness of CDS General Anil Chauhan's revelation about Operation Sindur and stressed the necessity for political deliberation. He insisted that, before military disclosure, the Defense Minister should have informed political parties of any potential damages within the country.
Acceptance of Military Losses
During an interview at the Shangri-La Dialogue Security Committee hosted in Singapore, CDS General Chauhan, for the first time, acknowledged the damages to Indian fighter jets during recent skirmishes with Pakistan, without citing figures. He asserted that the focus should not be on the extent of the damage but on identifying the errors committed. He conveyed that numbers don't matter as much as the corrective measures taken subsequently.
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Following the army chief's remarks, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge aligned with Ramesh in demanding a review of India's defense preparedness by an expert committee, akin to the Kargil Review Committee. Speaking to ANI, the Congress General Secretary questioned, 'Why did we have to wait for statements from Singapore? As the cradle of democracy, the issues raised by General Chauhan are crucial, influencing not just military strategy but also foreign, economic, and diplomatic policies.'
Defense Minister Should Have Provided Details
Jairam Ramesh argued that the Defense Minister should have shared this information during the all-party meetings conducted post-Operation Sindur. He remarked that it would have been better if General Chauhan's revelations were presented under the Defense Minister's leadership in the two all-party sessions. The details shared by General Chauhan ought to have been revealed to opposition leaders, and a special parliamentary session should have been summoned.
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Ramesh insisted that immediately after the Kargil War in July 1999, Prime Minister Vajpayee had formed the Kargil Review Committee. Current Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar's father was among the four contributors to the report. He emphasized that while certain military issues might solely be handled by the army, political subjects, such as the strengthening alliance between China and Pakistan, need attention too.
Demand for Parliamentary Session
Jairam Ramesh stated, 'We merely requested the Prime Minister to moderate an all-party meeting and convene a parliamentary session. General Chauhan's revelations in Singapore amplify the relevance of our demand.'
During India's Operation Sindur, initiated post-Pahalgam attacks, Pakistan claimed it shot down six Indian fighter jets, a claim India initially denied. General Chauhan refuted Pakistan's assertion that it downed six Indian jets, including four Rafale jets, labeling it as wholly inaccurate.
