Opposition parties in India have expressed full support for the government and strongly condemned the recent Pahalgam attack during an all-party meeting aimed at unifying political voices in response to the crisis, Indian media reported on Thursday.
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge highlighted that opposition leaders voiced concern over Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s absence from the critical meeting, as well as a perceived “security lapse” leading to the deadly incident.
Despite their concerns, Kharge emphasized that the opposition remains united with the government on this matter to present a strong, collective national front.
“All parties agreed that any action taken by the government in the national interest will have our full support. We stand together to send a clear message of unity,” Kharge stated.
In Modi’s absence, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh chaired the meeting. Kharge noted that the Congress party reiterated that the Prime Minister, as the nation’s top decision-maker, should have personally led the discussions.
The attack, which occurred on Tuesday, resulted in the deaths of 26 people, including a Nepali national. The Indian government has blamed Pakistan for the assault—a claim that Islamabad has categorically denied, labeling it a “false flag operation.”
Following the attack, India has taken several retaliatory measures under the Modi-led government, including suspending the Indus Waters Treaty and banning Pakistani nationals from entering the country.
In a further escalation, India has shut down the Integrated Check Post at Attari and ordered Pakistan’s military, naval, and air attachés to leave the country within a week, declaring them persona non grata.
Pakistan, in response, has recalled its own advisers and announced a significant downsizing of its High Commission staff in India—from 55 to 30—by May 1, which is also the deadline set for Pakistani nationals to exit the country.
