Srinagar, Jun 23: Strengthening India’s security posture along the Pakistan border, assessing lessons from Operation Sindoor and reviewing emerging regional challenges figured prominently as the Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs held detailed deliberations with defence and security agencies in Srinagar on Tuesday.
The committee, headed by Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, is on a four-day study visit to Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh to examine strategic border issues, India’s relations with neighbouring countries and the evolving security situation along sensitive frontiers.
During the meeting, senior Army officers and security officials briefed the parliamentarians on border management mechanisms, operational preparedness and the performance of security forces during Operation Sindoor, which was launched following heightened tensions with Pakistan earlier this year.
Committee member Rajiv Shukla said the interaction provided members with a comprehensive understanding of security challenges and future requirements.
“We had a very fruitful interaction with 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 after the meeting.
He said the panel was also briefed about precautionary measures, future preparedness and key lessons drawn from the operation.
The discussions assumed significance as the committee is examining recent developments in India’s relations with Pakistan, the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty and continuing threats posed by cross-border terrorism along the Line of Control (LoC) and the International Border.
Shukla said understanding India’s security requirements vis-à-vis Pakistan remains one of the central objectives of the committee’s visit.
“The purpose of this parliamentary tour is the issue of the country’s relations with Pakistan. 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.
Apart from reviewing the western front, the committee is also focusing on India’s relations with China and the security situation along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh. As part of its itinerary, the panel will travel to Kargil and Leh on Wednesday and Thursday to gain first-hand insights into border management and strategic challenges in high-altitude frontier regions.
The visit comes at a time when New Delhi continues to recalibrate its security and diplomatic strategies amid shifting geopolitical developments in South Asia and beyond.
The committee’s deliberations have also drawn attention following Tharoor’s remarks on Monday about what he described as “encouraging progress towards normalcy” in Jammu and Kashmir after a meeting with Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha. The comments triggered criticism from some leaders within the Congress party.
Tharoor later clarified that the committee’s mandate in Jammu and Kashmir was not to assess political or administrative conditions in the Valley. He said the focus of the panel remains confined to foreign affairs-related issues, including India-Pakistan relations, Sino-Indian relations and passport services.
Meanwhile, Shukla also commented on the reported peace deal between Iran and the United States, saying prolonged instability in West Asia had adversely affected economies across the world, including India.
“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.
Referring to maritime trade and energy security, Shukla said restoration of normal shipping through the Strait of Hormuz would benefit India significantly.
“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,” he added.
The committee is expected to conclude its visit later this week after holding further consultations with security agencies and civil authorities in Ladakh.