‘False statements’: MEA clarifies Jaishankar’s “warning at the beginning” Sindoor action remarks

Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar spoke to the media in New Delhi on May 18, 2025. Image source: ANI

The Foreign Ministry was described as a “complete false statement” on Saturday (May 17, 2025) asserting that Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar acknowledged that India reminded Pakistan before launching Operation Sindoor on May 7.

The clarification comes amid criticism from Congress leader Rahul Gandhi about the government, before the Indian side informed Pakistan about Pakistan’s terror infrastructure and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (POK).

The Ministry’s External Propaganda (XP) Justice said: “The Foreign Minister has said that we warned Pakistan from the outset that this is clearly an early stage after the start of Operation Sindor.”

It said in a brief statement: “This is a false statement before the beginning. A complete distortion of facts is called out.”

Mr Gandhi asked in a social media post who authorized to inform Pakistan. Gandhi said: “At the beginning of our attack, it was a crime to inform Pakistan.

“1. Who authorized it? 2. How many aircraft did our Air Force lose in the end?” he asked.

Mr Gandhi also shared video clips of Mr Jaishankar’s interaction with journalists, who talked about some aspects of the Sindoor operation and India’s strike against Pakistan and POK terrorist infrastructure.

A country without pacifists | Sindoor action reveals opinions on changing the right response to conflict

At the beginning of May 7, India’s Operation Sindor destroyed nine terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (POK) in retaliation for retaliation against the Pahalgam terrorist attack. All revenge in Pakistan followed in action.

Four days after the confrontation, the two sides ceased hostilities on May 10.