Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and officials from the external affairs ministry will brief the parliament panel on external affairs about recent developments in India-Pakistan relations on Monday. This is the first time the foreign secretary is briefing the parliamentary panel in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor.
The foreign secretary is likely to brief the committee about how the relationship between the neighbouring countries worsened in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, diplomatic measures taken against Pakistan, and Operation Sindoor - the military operation India launched on May 7 to avenge the killings. Misri is also likely to brief the committee on the upcoming tour of MPs to partner nations, to present India's measures to counter cross-border terrorism. All-party delegations will visit 33 nations and present India's resolve to deal with terrorism firmly.
The relationship between India and Pakistan worsened in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22. As many as 26 persons were killed in the attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam. Terrorists with alleged Pakistani links carried out the attack. To avenge the killings, India launched 'Operation Sindoor' on May 7 and struck terror launchpads at nine locations along the Line of Control.
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While India maintained it does not intend to escalate the situation, Pakistan launched retaliatory drone strikes on May 8,9 and 10, which were successfully thwarted by India. According to Indian defence officials, at least 20 per cent of Pakistan's Air Force assets were destroyed in Indian strikes. Both nations agreed to stop firing on May 10, following a hotline conversation between the Director General of Military Operations (DGMOs) of both nations.
Meanwhile, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar will embark on tri-nation European tour on Monday. Jaishankar will visit Netherlands, Denmark and Germany and will reportedly apprise them about Pakistan's alleged support for cross-border terror.