Operation Sindoor—The New Normal

On 22 April 2025, a tragic incident took place in Pahalgam that shook the psyche of Bharat. Men were ruthlessly killed, women heartlessly widowed, and children made fatherless. The Pahalgam incident was an attack on the religious cohesion of Bharat and a challenge to both the Indian government and the cultural foundations of Bharat. As a civilisation that firmly believes in and promotes ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’—universal oneness—this was a testing moment for Indian policymakers and citizens. While the gravity of the tragedy that took place in Pahalgam was extremely high, it was important for India to send a measured message to Pakistan and the world that India would no longer tolerate terrorism. More importantly, the philosophy of this age-old culture, which governs those at the helm of affairs, does not promote engaging in disproportionate aggression that would hinder a country's development. As news recently broke that India became the 4th largest economy in the world and was about to receive the spillover benefits of the emerging US-China Trade War, it was crucial for India to be cautious about being pulled into a state of war that would deter its ascending economic prowess. However, it was also important for India to strike fear in the hearts of terrorists hidden deep inside Pakistan.What began to unfold in the aftermath of the Pahalgam incident stood as a testament to India’s geopolitical, cultural, and national philosophy. Apart from placing the Indus Water Treaty in abeyance, the Indian Armed Forces launched a non-escalatory retaliation titled ‘Operation Sindoor’ to attack terrorist base camps in nine locations across Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir. This military operation shattered the foundation of Jaish-E-Mohammad, a globally listed terrorist organisation, as around ten relatives of its founder Masood Azhar, including the mastermind of the IC-814 hijack, Abdul Rauf Azhar, were killed in an airstrike by the Indian Air Force in Bahawalpur, Pakistan. It is prudent to note that while these terrorist camps were situated in densely populated areas of Pakistan, India carried out precision strikes to ensure that civilian casualties were minimal. This powerfully demonstrated India's commitment to universal brotherhood, even when confronting adversaries..Despite India meticulously carrying out military operations targeting terrorists and avoiding civilians, the Pakistani defence forces began cross-border artillery shelling, small arms firing, and drone strikes on Indian military bases in 15 locations in Punjab, Jammu and Kashmir, Gujarat, and Rajasthan, triggering air-raid sirens and blackouts in multiple cities. While Pakistan's desperate retaliatory drone strikes, aided by Turkey and China, continued until 10 May, they were unsuccessful in their attempt to inflict any significant damage to civilians or Indian military bases. This failed military operation by Pakistan between May 7 and 10 revealed that the Turkish, Chinese, and Pakistani drones and missiles were no match for the robust Indian defence system, powered by S-400 and Akashteer.The performance of ‘Make-In-India’ defence technology, more specifically the precision with which BrahMos missiles destroyed terrorist bases in Pakistan and the effectiveness with which Akashteer countered the Pakistani drone attacks, bolstered India’s position as a manufacturer and exporter of arms, ammunition, and defence systems. This was evident when global demand for BrahMos missiles, especially from countries like Vietnam, Malaysia, and Indonesia, surged after Operation Sindoor. While few countries across the globe attempted to ‘mediate’ and lure India into limiting its retaliation by offering trade deals, India stood its ground firm by declaring to the world that ‘Trade and Terror shall not work together’.As a next step, India is making strides in global diplomacy by sending anti-terror delegations to various countries across the world to explain its stance and position itself as a primary power centre in the global fight against terrorism..India has ensured that its plan of action against terrorism and its message to its foes and the world is crystal clear. Operation Sindoor is more than a military success; it is the new normal. It's Bharat's coming-of-age moment, projecting itself as a formidable power prepared to uphold universal brotherhood, provided its sovereignty and people remain undisturbed. As citizens, we must continue to support our nation's strategic decisions and contribute to our economic strength through innovation and productivity to ensure that India stands first.

Operation Sindoor—The New Normal

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