On Sunday, the Indian National Congress called upon Prime Minister Narendra Modi to convene an all-party meeting and hold a special session of Parliament to deliberate on the recent ceasefire agreement between India and Pakistan, the Pahalgam terror attack, and Operation Sindoor—India’s counter-offensive response.
Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi and Rajya Sabha LoP Mallikarjun Kharge wrote directly to the Prime Minister, emphasizing the need for a transparent and national-level discussion on the chain of events that unfolded over the past week. “It is crucial for the people and their representatives to discuss the Pahalgam terror attack, Operation Sindoor and today’s ceasefire, first announced by US President Trump,” Rahul Gandhi stated in his letter. He stressed that such a discussion would reflect the country’s collective resolve.
Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh posed pointed questions to the government, raising concerns about whether India has abandoned the Simla Agreement, which bars third-party involvement in India-Pakistan issues. His remarks came amid reports that the ceasefire understanding was brokered by the US, with announcements initially emerging from Washington DC. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio also referenced a “neutral site” for talks, prompting Ramesh to ask: “Has New Delhi opened the doors to third-party mediation? Have diplomatic channels with Pakistan been reopened?”
The ceasefire, which followed four days of intense missile and drone strikes, is said to have included an immediate halt to all military actions—by land, air, and sea—but tensions remain. Indian officials have stated that Operation Sindoor is still underway and that India retains the right to retaliate if provoked further.
Ramesh further evoked the legacy of former PM Indira Gandhi, referencing her strong leadership in 1971 and her deft handling of the IMF loan negotiations in the early 1980s, as a benchmark for sovereign, bold policymaking. “The situation demands a response from the Prime Minister himself,” he asserted, citing remarks from former Army Chiefs V. P. Malik and Manoj Naravane who have weighed in on the India-Pakistan understanding.
Congress has asked for clear answers on the terms of the ceasefire, any commitments secured, and the role of external powers like the US—insisting that Parliament and the public deserve transparency in matters of national security and diplomacy.
