In response to the Pahalgam attack, India launched Operation Sindoor, showcasing its military strength, diplomatic resolve and commitment to counter terrorism while reinforcing national security and self-reliance
Tejeswar Patnaik
The operation was not just symbolic. Backed by clear visual evidence, the strikes inflicted heavy damage on terrorist infrastructure. The Indian military’s prompt release of footage helped establish the authenticity of the operation even as global media attention intensified. However, alongside the military confrontation, India found itself battling an information war. Misleading narratives and fake news—some even from reputed Western media—tried to question the effectiveness of India’s action and undermine the credibility of its defence systems.
Despite such attempts, international military experts recognised India’s strategic maturity. Austrian historian Tom Cooper praised the Indian missile strikes, particularly pointing out the destruction of critical Pakistani military infrastructure, including airbases like Nur Khan and Sargodha. He argued that Pakistan’s inability to deliver a credible counterattack exposed India’s military superiority.
Equally significant was the role of India’s indigenous defence systems. At a press briefing, the Director General of Air Operations confirmed a successful strike on a surface-to-air missile system in Karachi’s Malir Cantonment, achieved with surgical precision. U.S. Army veteran John Spencer, Chair of Urban Warfare Studies at the Modern War Institute, commended India’s technological self-reliance, even comparing its systems favourably with those used by China.
India’s response extended beyond military action. In a bold diplomatic move, the government revoked the Indus Waters Treaty, a significant step indicating that India is willing to use all tools of statecraft against terrorism. The decision, while carefully measured, was intended to increase pressure on Pakistan without escalating into full-scale war.
Amid the ceasefire that followed, controversy erupted when then-U.S. President Donald Trump claimed that the United States had brokered the peace deal. Prime Minister Narendra Modi promptly dismissed the claim, reiterating India’s consistent policy of no third-party mediation on bilateral issues, especially concerning Kashmir. Modi also made it clear that future dialogues with Pakistan would focus solely on Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and terrorism, not on the status of Kashmir itself. India also declared that any future terrorist act would be treated as a state-sponsored act of war.
The geopolitical fallout of these events exposed the complexities of India’s foreign partnerships. While traditional allies like Russia and Israel reaffirmed their support for India’s right to self-defence, certain challenges emerged. France, a key strategic partner and supplier of Rafale fighter jets, hesitated to share critical software codes and radar configurations. This raised concerns about India’s reliance on foreign military technology and highlighted the urgent need for greater defence autonomy. The hypocrisy of the European Union and the West, too, stands exposed in this armed conflict.
In the global media space, bias became evident once again. Many Western outlets described Jammu and Kashmir as “India-occupied,” presenting fake or inaccurate narratives. Meanwhile, countries such as Turkey, Azerbaijan, and China openly backed Pakistan. Turkey went further, supplying drone systems to aid Pakistan during the conflict.
These actions drew sharp public backlash in India. Despite India’s generous humanitarian assistance during Turkey’s 2023 earthquake, including medical aid and disaster relief teams, Turkey’s open support for Pakistan angered Indian citizens. A massive “Boycott Turkey and Azerbaijan” campaign spread across social media. With over 300,000 Indian tourists visiting Turkey each year and tourism making up 12.5% of its GDP, many Indians began cancelling their travel plans. Indian traders also started reducing imports of Turkish goods like apples, sending a clear economic message.
Amid all this, India’s economic rise and democratic dividend, and digital technology have added to its strategic leverage. With a GDP of $4.3 trillion, India is now the fifth-largest economy in the world and is expected to soon surpass Japan. Analysts believe India can leverage this economic strength to reshape its foreign policy, foster stronger trade relationships with other nations and expand its defence exports.
The government’s focus on ‘Make in India’ and ‘Atma Nirbhar Bharat’ (self-reliant India), especially in the defence sector, has become more important than ever. Reducing dependence on foreign military suppliers will allow India greater control over its strategic assets and improve long-term security.
Today, India ranks among the top four military powers globally, surpassing even some NATO countries in manpower, strategic doctrine, and emerging technologies. Defence self-reliance is no longer just a goal—it’s a necessity. Diplomatically, India must continue its efforts to isolate Pakistan on global platforms and build international coalitions against terrorism.
The events following the Pahalgam attack have sent a clear message. India is no longer willing to absorb terrorist attacks silently. It will defend its sovereignty through precise military action, strategic diplomacy, and economic power. More importantly, it will do so from a position of strength.
As global challenges grow more complex, national unity, strategic clarity, and technological self-reliance are essential. India’s path to global leadership depends on its ability to remain firm, focused, and fearless. Now is the time to stand united, resolute and vigilant—as India charts a bold new course in global affairs. Nation comes first ,every thing Next .
(The writer is a former Dy General Manager of Bank of India. Views expressed are personal.)
