Sindoor shone light – Going forward, for India, two important aspects stand out. Op Sindoor highlights the growing cooperation between China and Pakistan in the defense and intelligence sectors. Delhi should deepen its ties with like-minded partners to ensure that it has an edge not only in the conventional arena, but also in cyber and sub-conventional warfare.
In the days between the horrific attack on civilians in Pahalgam on April 22 last year and the launch of Operation Sindoor on May 7, India’s strategic posture was in question. As the cost of sponsoring terrorism increased for Pakistan after the surgical strikes (2016) and Balakot attack (2019), what deterrence can India offer other than the risk of all-out war? Providing a measured response in a nuclear-armed neighborhood was no easy task.
The success of Operation Sindoor erased doubts about India’s ability to respond to state-sponsored terrorism. Military and strategic targets were attacked by the Indian Air Force, and it was clearly communicated that New Delhi was not the aggressor and the tension was induced by Rawalpindi.
The entire nation and political class – from the Omar Abdullah government in Kashmir to the national opposition – stood with the victims of Pahalgam and the actions of the armed forces. One year later, it is important to reflect on the lessons learned from this turning point in the fight against terrorism.
The Pahalgam attack underlined that intelligence – particularly human intelligence sources on the ground – remains the first line of defense against terrorism and extremism. He said, even after a year, cross-border infiltration remains a major challenge. The decision to send a multi-party delegation to world capitals to tell India’s story after the military campaign showed that Delhi understands the power of storytelling.
At the same time, it is important to acknowledge Islamabad’s existing influence with the Trump administration, even if it is limited to the sight of convenience – even dramatization. This is a challenge as India and the US move forward achieving partnerships ranging from defense and technology to trade and investment.