Tharoor-led Parliamentary Panel Reviews Border Readiness After Operation Sindoor

SRINAGAR: The Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs, headed by Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, on Tuesday reviewed India’s border preparedness, the performance of security forces during Operation Sindoor and the strategic challenges facing Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh along the frontiers with Pakistan and China.

Security officials briefed the visiting parliamentary delegation on the steps taken to strengthen border protection after last year’s Operation Sindoor, the precautions being adopted for the future, operational lessons learnt and the requirements of forces deployed in sensitive areas.

Committee member Rajiv Shukla said the interaction with the Army, security agencies and defence forces was detailed and “very fruitful”. “Today, we had a very fruitful interaction with the army officers, security officers and defence forces on how they protect our borders and about the performance of our forces during Operation Sindoor,” Shukla told reporters here.

He said the committee was briefed on major preparations, future security requirements and steps being taken to give confidence to people living near the borders. “What must we do on the Pakistan border and what steps should we take going forward to strengthen our security? The army officers briefed us on this and their future requirements and how the work is being done here to give confidence to the local population,” he said.

Earlier, during a visit to the Suchetgarh sector along the India-Pakistan border in Jammu, Tharoor lauded the Border Security Force (BSF) personnel for their role in guarding the frontiers and ensuring the country’s security. He said their service and vigilance deserved wider public recognition.

“What the BSF personnel do for the country, and the way they keep us safe, is truly commendable. We felt proud to see their work. Every Indian citizen, whenever possible, should visit the border and witness firsthand the dedication of our security forces,” he said.

The panel began its four-day study visit to Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh on June 22. Its itinerary includes Jammu, Srinagar, Kargil and Leh, where members are expected to interact with senior civil and military officials, review ground-level preparedness and obtain first-hand inputs from frontier areas.

The visit assumes significance as J&K shares the Line of Control (LoC) and International Border (IB) with Pakistan, while Ladakh shares the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China and the LoC with Pakistan.

The committee is examining recent developments in India-Pakistan relations, the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, threats from cross-border terrorism and India-China relations, particularly the situation in eastern Ladakh.

Ahead of the field visit, the committee was briefed by officials of the Ministry of External Affairs in New Delhi on India-China relations, recent developments in India-Pakistan ties and issues related to the country’s border diplomacy and security posture.

Tharoor on Monday clarified that the panel’s visit was confined to its official mandate and was not intended to assess domestic political conditions in Kashmir. “I want to make it very clear that this is not a visit about checking the conditions in Kashmir Valley,” he said.

“The committee is here to study three issues — India-Pakistan relations, China-India relations and the functioning of passport offices and passport services. These are the only three issues we are studying. We are not here to look at domestic issues and it is not our business. We are the External Affairs Committee,” Tharoor added.

The clarification came after Tharoor drew criticism from some Congress leaders for his earlier remarks about “encouraging progress towards normalcy” in J&K following a meeting with Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha. Tharoor said he had only met the Lt. Governor and had not interacted widely with different sections of society, making it clear that the committee would draw its conclusions only after completing the visit.

During its engagements in Jammu, the panel also reviewed the functioning of the Regional Passport Office and Passport Seva Kendras. Tharoor said members asked “tough and probing questions” to representatives of the passport authorities, police, CID and postal department over delays in processing applications, police verification and issuance of passports.

He said several cases of excessive delay were flagged and that officials had promised improvements. The committee wants passport delivery services in Jammu, Kashmir, Leh and Srinagar to become faster, more transparent and more responsive to applicants.

BJP MP Arun Govil, who is part of the delegation, said the panel gathered inputs on the difficulties faced by passport applicants and would submit its findings and suggestions to the Central Government. He said the aim was to make the passport application and verification process smoother and more efficient.

Shukla also referred to the wider global situation, saying India had been economically affected by the Iran-United States conflict and wanted peace to be restored at the earliest. “We were suffering losses, the whole world was suffering losses because of this ongoing conflict. So the sooner this gets resolved, the sooner peace is restored, the better it is for us and for everyone,” he said.

He added that the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz would benefit India’s energy and trade interests. “The Strait of Hormuz opening up will benefit us. With the Strait open, around 300-400 of our ships used to come, but right now very few are able to come. If it opens, our energy crisis will end,” Shukla said.

The committee’s programme will continue with visits to Kargil and Leh, where members are expected to focus on border management, the security situation in forward areas, India-China relations and issues linked to the LAC. The panel’s observations are expected to be compiled into a report for submission to Parliament and the government.