The ‘Operation Sindoor’ in response to terror attack at Pahalgam terror attack is considered to be the defining moment in the strategic history of India reflecting its unwavering commitment towards zero tolerance policy. The surgically precise execution with make a difference impact militarily, diplomatically, politically and psychologically receiving appreciation worldwide from strategic thinkers complimenting its legacy of valor, strategic thinking and unparallel professionalism. The brotherly synergy across the wings of the armed forces was an unprecedented symphony at display. The first Chief of Defence Staff, Late General Bipin Rawat sown the seed of service integration and jointmenship was further ably executed by his fellow Gorkha regimental officer and a seasoned military leader General Anil Chauhan.
The showstopper of the operation was the Indigenous military hardware that not only defended the country against Pakistani drone and missile strikes but when punched it gave a bloody nose and hit bulls eye at the desired targets embossing the battle proven capabilities of India. This spirit of atma-nirbharta showcased the proven production capabilities and innovation of Indian defence enterprises and R&D establishments transforming India from arms importer to an innovator. The export of Indigenous hardware worth $2.76billion USD (₹23,622 crore) in the financial year 2024-25 stands testimony to it. In this operation the silent force whose mere presence truly emerged as a great deterrence is the Indian Navy. When the Indian Army and the IAF was executing operations in the north and northwest front of India causing decisive damage to the strategic assets of Pakistan and terror camps located deep in Pakistani territory, the Indian Navy’s mere deployment of its assets through carrier battle group ‘bottled’ the Pakistani military and kept Paki Navy at bay shrinking the maneuverability of Pakistan and its supporters.
The op also underlined various facets of the statesmanship of Indian leadership across cabinet who not only supported the armed forces but thoughtfully led its political and diplomatic fronts immediate aftermath of the Pahalgam attack India put Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance, a treaty that was untouched in all previous wars and strikes. It uncovered transformative change in India’s security doctrine from a ‘soft, reactive’ state of yester years to a ‘decisive, united’ country with ability to use its strategic autonomy at will. The change in India’s official war doctrine to treat state sponsored terrorism as an act of war along with no distinction between terrorists and its supporters. The united outreach made by all-party parliamentary delegations visiting and briefing governments and parliaments across Europe, North America, East Asia and the prominent countries of the global south have truly projected a strong democratic core of India characterized by unity in diversity. This decisive response by India not onlyestablished a deterring impact on its enemy but was a strategic declaration by India echoing its unwavering commitment to destroy terror network.
This tactical operation and its relative expenditure was easily borne by India as just another military expenditure for any prominent exercise or so. However, India reached such situation through transformative reforms conducted within that fueled India’s rise at the regional and global level. This rise is characterized by economic growth and political stability ably facilitating comprehensive development and strengthening capabilities. It boosts India to play a decisive role at global level and participate through transformative initiatives like Solar Alliance, Counter Terror-Convention, hosting Interpol General Assembly, No Money for Terror (NMFT) conference with its permanent secretariat at New Delhi. The economy which was in Fragile Five in 2014 hosted the prominent world leaders in G20 in 2023. Class apart execution of global military exercises Milan 2024 and Tarang Shakti 2024 where prominent players of the world acknowledged India’s capability.
While defending the exterior aggression India achieved remarkable stability in terms of law & order due to proactive vigil by the law enforcement agencies. However, after this evolution of 77 years of counter terror measures with a transformation from a reactive state to a zero tolerant decisive state the journey of counter terror mechanism has been phenomenal. It can be seen through certain landmark decisions like abrogation of Article 370 facilitating growth in the UT of Jammu Kashmir and Ladakh, executing decisive peace accords in the North east establishing growth oriented development in the region with utmost respect to the local customs and cultural traditions, impactful counter left wing extremism operation that is stepping ahead towards naxalism free Bharat by March 31 2026.
While doing these proactive security governance within the country the federal government made the states party to this journey through cooperative federalism, under which the central government have strengthen the capabilities through various security oriented policy initiatives like Modernisation of state police forces, empowering them through network centric smart policing through ambititious Crime and Criminal Tracking Network and Systems (CCTNS) with swift connectivity via secured data connectivity. It integrated the judiciary through Interoperable Criminal Justice Systems (ICJS) with investigation and prosecution. Strengthened the forensic capabilities at cyber, ballistic, criminal and comprehensive forensic capabilities of states through establishing forensic laboratories, created trained human resources through establishing institutions of national importance like National Forensic Science University with domestic and global mandate etc. The entire internal security mechanism was transformed through reforms, newly inducted criminal laws truly reflect a justice oriented justice system with at par technical facilitation delivering justice in a time bound manner.
All these measures, reforms were timely backed by growing budgetary allocations that truly backed this transformation. Decade back in 20155 the Ministry of Home Affairs whose annual budget was mere ₹65764crore rupees saw steady growth successively over last decade , in 2025 it has an annual budget of ₹ 2,33,211 crore more than 250% rise. Same is the case with the Ministry of Defence whose budget in 2015 was ₹2,46,727crore ($40.4 billion USD) seen steady rise successively to 176% more of ₹ 6,81,210 Crore allocated in 2025. Both this budget has the unique characteristic of highest capital budget outlay truly building the capabilities strengthening national security governance of the country. This impressive transformation and impressive record of counter terrorism makes India a dependable partner for counter-terrorism cooperation. Worldwide 44 prominent countries along with BIMSTEC, QUAD multilateral organisations have formalized cooperation for countering terrorism through MoUs, Joint working groups, information sharing etc. Thus, when one sees grand success of Operation Sindoor and successively of Balakot Airstrikes along with surgical strikes it truly showcased India’s strong capabilities underscoring the fact that India’s resolute might is not just a moment of delight, but an impressive saga of comprehensive development achieved in recent decade making it fourth largest economy of the world.
As a seasoned hand in counter terrorism with prolong experience of more than seven decades India through its surgically precise and impactful military action have not only exposed Pakistani weakness, but by outperforming Chinese and Turkish military hardware with Indigenous punch India has redrawn its red line that terrorism in any form will be met with decisive, punitive and immediate consequences. This seasoned outlook was reflected through the systematic synergy at governance, lethality of Indigenous weapon systems backed by the unparallel valor and professionalism of Indian armed forces coupled with leadership with impeccable clarity of war doctrine that India the largest democracy of the world and a proficient global power, ready to safeguard its sovereignty with steadfastness.
The Author is a distinguished scholar of security studies with distinguished experience in diplomacy, research and academia. Views expressed are personal.