Did India Alert Pakistan Before Operation Sindoor? MEA Refutes Rahul Gandhi’s Claims as Factually Incorrect

KKN Gurugram Desk | A fresh political storm has erupted in India following claims by Congress MP Rahul Gandhi, who alleged that the Government of India had informed Pakistan in advance about Operation Sindoor—a targeted military strike on terror infrastructure in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) and Pakistan. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has issued a strong rebuttal, calling the allegations factually incorrect and misleading.

Rahul Gandhi based his claims on a viral video of External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar addressing journalists, in which he discussed the nature of India’s communication with Pakistan after the operation had commenced.

What Is Operation Sindoor?

Operation Sindoor was a major counter-terrorism offensive conducted by Indian armed forces on May 7, 2025, in response to the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir, which left 26 Indian civilians dead. The Indian military targeted nine terrorist launch pads in Pakistan and PoK, resulting in the death of over 100 militants affiliated with terror outfits like:

• Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM)

• Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT)

• Hizbul Mujahideen

The operation was seen as a bold and strategic retaliation, receiving both domestic and international attention.

Rahul Gandhi’s Allegations: “Was Pakistan Alerted Beforehand?”

On May 19, 2025, Rahul Gandhi posted a video clip on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), accusing the government of compromising India’s strategic secrecy. He alleged that:

“Did we lose Indian aircraft because Pakistan was informed in advance? This isn’t negligence—it’s a crime. The nation deserves to know the truth.”

The Congress leader suggested that the early communication with Pakistan, as implied in Jaishankar’s video, could have endangered Indian forces and compromised operational effectiveness.

The Viral Video: What Did Jaishankar Say?

In the widely circulated video, S. Jaishankar is heard saying:

“At the beginning of the operation, we sent a message to Pakistan, stating that we were attacking the terror infrastructure, not the Pakistani military. Therefore, their forces had the option of not intervening.”

Rahul Gandhi and several opposition figures interpreted this as evidence that India alerted Pakistan before launching the strike, thereby potentially giving them time to prepare.

MEA Clarification: “We Warned After Operation Began, Not Before”

The Ministry of External Affairs quickly responded to the controversy, categorically rejecting the claims made by Rahul Gandhi and the Congress party.

MEA Statement Highlights:

• “The video is being misrepresented. The Foreign Minister clearly said that a message was sent to Pakistan after the operation had already started.”

• “Presenting this as a prior intimation is factually wrong and a distortion of official communication.”

• “Such misinformation undermines national security and confuses the public discourse.”

The MEA stressed that no prior information was given to Pakistan about the military strike and that the post-strike communication was in line with standard diplomatic norms to avoid escalation.

Why Was a Message Sent at All? Understanding Strategic Signaling

International relations experts note that such post-strike messages are not uncommon in military operations involving nuclear-capable neighbors. The objective is often to:

• Clarify intent: To distinguish between targeting terrorists versus attacking state forces

• Prevent escalation: To avoid unintended consequences or full-scale conflict

• Maintain communication channels: Especially between armed forces or diplomats

In this case, the Indian government reportedly sent the message after launching the operation, as a strategic signal to Pakistan’s military to stay out of the way.

Political Fallout: BJP vs Congress Over Security Narrative

The issue quickly escalated into a political flashpoint, with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) accusing Rahul Gandhi of:

• Misleading the public

• Undermining national security

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• Disrespecting the armed forces

BJP Statement:

“This is yet another example of Rahul Gandhi’s irresponsible statements. By twisting facts, he demoralizes our forces and gives our enemies a reason to question our intentions.”

Congress leaders, meanwhile, stood by Rahul Gandhi’s remarks, insisting that the government owes the nation transparency on all military actions, especially if any protocol breaches or operational risks were involved.

Timeline of Key Events

Operation Sindoor: A Success from a Military Standpoint

Despite the political controversy, Operation Sindoor has been widely hailed as a successful strategic move by India’s military establishment. Sources confirm:

• 9 terrorist bases neutralized

• 100+ terrorists eliminated

• No civilian casualties reported on India’s side

• All targets were located in PoK and Pakistan-administered areas

Intelligence sources claim the operation has significantly disrupted terror infiltration routes and training centers along the LoC.

Legal and Ethical Aspects of Foreign Communication During Operations

According to international law and standard military doctrines:

• Sovereign nations are not obligated to inform enemy states before conducting counter-terror strikes

• Post-strike communication, however, is part of conflict de-escalation protocols

• Diplomats often work behind the scenes to ensure operations do not spiral into broader warfare

In India’s case, sending a message after the strike to clarify military intent is consistent with these practices.

Opposition’s Questions: A Need for Parliamentary Oversight?

While the government has clarified its stance, opposition parties have raised the issue of:

• Lack of parliamentary briefing on major military operations

• The need for a multi-party security committee to review strike protocols

• Possible discussions in the upcoming Parliament session on India’s cross-border operation policies

Public Sentiment and Media Reaction

On social media, opinions remain divided. Hashtags like #OperationSindoor, #MEAClarifies, and #RahulGandhiLies trended throughout the day.

Key Public Reactions:

• Some hailed the government’s strong counter-terror response

• Others criticized the lack of transparency and conflicting narratives

• Defense analysts largely supported the MEA’s clarification, terming it “a matter of diplomatic timing, not security failure”

The controversy around Operation Sindoor and Rahul Gandhi’s allegations appears to be a case of miscommunication and political misinterpretation. While the operation itself has been strategically successful, the aftermath highlights the sensitive balance between military secrecy and political accountability.

The MEA’s response reaffirms that India acted within its rights and protocols, ensuring that Pakistan was warned only after the mission was underway, primarily to avoid escalation, not to compromise strategy.

As India continues to face cross-border terrorism, both diplomacy and defense must work in tandem—free from partisan distortion and rooted in national interest.