Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday told the Lok Sabha that he did not take phone calls from US Vice President J.D. Vance on May 9 as he was attending a key national security meeting.
“The US Vice President tried calling me four to five times. But I was in a meeting regarding national security. I could not receive his calls… I called him back later,” the PM said, addressing the House during a debate on Operation Sindoor.
PM Modi said the US Vice President had reached out amid heightened tensions between India and Pakistan. “He said Pakistan was preparing to launch a major military action. I told him clearly—if Pakistan dares to attack, it will pay a heavy price. India will respond with greater force,” he said.
Operation Sindoor was launched in retaliation to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack.
“No world leader asked us to stop. This time, India didn’t pause out of fear of global reaction. The world saw the scale of our response—from Sindoor to Sindhu,” he said, referring to India’s stance on the Indus Waters Treaty.
The PM also criticised the Congress for what he called a lack of support for India’s armed forces. “While the world stood with us, it is unfortunate that our brave soldiers didn’t get the backing of the Congress,” he said.
The PM said that the Opposition questioned the armed forces and drew parallels with the aftermath of the Balakot airstrikes. “They had asked for proof then, just like Pakistan. Even now, they raised doubts over the operation,” he said.
PM Modi also referred to the capture and return of BSF personnel and Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman in previous episodes of cross-border conflict. “They thought we were trapped. But both returned with dignity,” he said.
— IANS