Ravi Shankar Prasad: ‘Senior Congress leaders have backed us… I urge Rahul Gandhi, why give Pakistan something to play with’

Why did the government feel it necessary to send all-party teams across the world to carry its message on Pakistan and Operation Sindoor?

India remained united even after the Pahalgam attack. The PM felt this unity of India should be reflected before world leaders. It is not only BJP MPs who are travelling; MPs and leaders from across the political spectrum are part of these groups. Other than me, only Baijayant Panda is from the BJP in my group; the rest are from other political parties.

Some in the Opposition have claimed these missions were prompted by India’s ‘failure’ to get international support following Operation Sindoor.

Well, whoever has made this observation is completely off the mark. Recently, a parliamentary delegation from France visited. We met them, they also conveyed their support to us. They said even though the situation is tense, we support you. We have the UN resolution, and all the leaders called the Prime Minister or the External Affairs Minister to convey their condolences. I don’t know why this whole argument is being made, that only two countries supported India … The most important are the Gulf countries, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, and Kuwait. All of them … either talked to the External Affairs Minister or the PM, conveyed their concern and solidarity.

What kind of evidence will you share with world leaders?

Let me tell you, the line between the military establishment and terrorists is completely blurred in Pakistan. The comical example we saw… a General who failed in the field has been promoted to Field Marshal (Asim Munir). That is the kind of hold the Army has there. From 1948, we have suffered four major wars: 1965, 1971, the Kargil War in 1999, and then the doctrine of a thousand cuts. Whether it’s the Parliament attack, Mumbai attack, Uri, Pulwama, or now Pahalgam, all lead to Pakistan. We want peace, but not at the cost of killings.

But the evidence?

I am coming to that. India has shared satellite images and locations with everyone. Today, neutral security experts are saying India has conclusively demonstrated its superiority. After initial reports favoured Pakistan, the international press also reported fairly because of the evidence India shared. Whether it is The New York Times or The Washington Post, all have clarified and projected the real picture.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said Operation Sindoor marks a new normal. Will that be the thrust of the message? Can it affect our relations with other countries?

I will answer in two parts. First, terrorism is a global curse and India is not the only victim. In France, they were attacked. People were killed in Brussels. In London, there was an attack on the tube. In America, there was 9/11. Where did the needle of suspicion in all attacks take us? It took us to Pakistan. Starting with Osama bin Laden who was killed in Abbottabad to the killing of journalist Daniel Pearl …

The second point is: ab ho gaya, now it is enough. India did try to diplomatically solve relations with Pakistan. The Prime Minister, at his inaugural swearing-in in 2014, called Nawaz Sharif. He also made a stopover at his request to attend the marriage of his grandson. But what did we get? We got the same … If we bleed, we will strike back, and strike back with precision and destroy terrorist camps, like we did.

In Pahalgam, the terrorists asked young married couples to prove their identity, and then the husband was killed… This is unthinkable… and India will not take this any more. We attacked the terrorist camps, but when Pakistan attacked us, we smashed nine to 10 of their air bases. And one thing more I would like to highlight today, this shows the might of India. We have established our air defence system in such a manner that we can protect our boundaries, 3,000 km from Ladakh to Kutch… The government focused on Make in India and gave attention to the Army’s requirements, and now our forces have given the results.

The Foreign Secretary briefed all the delegations, provided them with dossiers. What is the message you will be taking?

Let the briefing remain confidential. But I can tell you the message that we are taking to European countries is that it’s high time the world, including Europe, speaks in one voice in the fight against terrorism. Terrorism does not recognise any religion, it is anti-democratic. Most importantly, what about the human rights of the victims?… All this must be properly articulated.

 Amid this talk of political unity, your party has targeted Lok Sabha Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi and the Congress has taken aim at External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar.

I don’t wish to go into this. All Congress leaders have supported the idea in unison. I’ve seen their statement, the senior leaders, from Salman Khurshid to Manish Tewari… it’s good. (Shashi) Tharoor is already there.

I don’t want to score a political point, but about Mr Gandhi, I would say only one thing. He is now the Leader of the Opposition, a very responsible post. The only gentle advice I will give him, Mr Gandhi, by your utterances, why give something to Pakistan to play with? Don’t you think it is high time the whole world accepts India’s version, which is supported by proper evidence? Why are you registering a jarring note that Pakistan is lapping up? Please reconsider your views.