Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: Chief Minister Pramod Sawant launched a sharp critique of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s leadership during and after the Emergency period, questioning what he described as “contradictory and compromising” strategic decisions that, according to him, weakened India’s long-term national interests.
Addressing a public gathering, Sawant said the years of the Emergency reflected a troubling phase in Indian democracy. “The same leadership that imposed the Emergency and curtailed the fundamental rights of Indian citizens also took strategic decisions that demand serious scrutiny,” he stated.
Referring to post-1971 war developments, the Chief Minister questioned the outcomes of the Shimla Agreement, arguing that India’s strong battlefield position was not fully leveraged at the negotiating table. “After a decisive military victory, nearly 5,000 square miles of captured territory was returned and 93,000 Pakistani prisoners of war were released. Yet, several issues remained unresolved. Many Indian soldiers never returned home,” Sawant said.
He further alleged that certain decisions taken during that period appeared to compromise India’s long-term security interests. “India deserved decisive leadership that converted military success into lasting strategic gains,” he remarked.
Sawant said historical decisions must be debated openly to understand their impact on present-day national security and governance. “We must learn from the past to ensure that India’s interests are always safeguarded with firmness and clarity,” he added.
The Chief Minister’s remarks come amid renewed political debate over the legacy of the Emergency and the foreign policy choices made during that era.
