The guns have fallen silent but India has drawn its red lines for Pakistan. New Delhi now has a new doctrine: any act of terror will be seen as an act of war. What is India doing to convey this message to Pakistan – and the world at large?
Our Bureau
New Delhi/Srinagar/Washington, DC
India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7 as a decisive military response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack in which 26 people were killed. Indian Armed Forces targeted terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, leading to the death of over 100 terrorists affiliated with terror outfits like the Jaish-e-Mohammed, Lashkar-e-Taiba and Hizbul Mujahideen.
After the attack, Pakistan retaliated with cross-border shelling across the Line of Control and Jammu and Kashmir as well as attempted drone attacks along the border regions, following which India launched a coordinated attack and damaged radar infrastructure, communication centers and airfields across 11 airbases in Pakistan.
After this, on May 10, an understanding of the cessation of hostilities between India and Pakistan was announced.
The guns have fallen silent but India’s message to Pakistan – and the whole world – is loud and clear: any act of terror against India will be treated as an act of war.
Emphasizing that India’s Lakshman Rekha against terrorism is now crystal clear, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said this week that if there is another terror attack, India will respond and it will be a decisive response. PM Modi, who interacted with the brave air warriors and soldiers at Adampur Air Force Station, said every moment of Operation Sindoor stands as a testament to the strength of India’s armed forces.
The Prime Minister had addressed the nation on Monday on Operation Sindoor which was launched in response to Pahalgam terror attack. India launched precision strikes on terror infrastructure in Pakistan and PoJK. India also effectively repelled Pakistan’s subsequent aggression and pounded several airbases in Pakistan.
PM Modi said the courage and professionalism of India’s air warriors and soldiers in protecting our nation are commendable.
“Operation Sindoor is a trinity India’s policy, intent, and decisive capability. When the Sindoor of our sisters and daughters was wiped away, we crushed the terrorists in their hideouts. The masterminds of terror now know that raising an eye against India will lead to nothing but destruction,” he said.
The Prime Minister said that not only were terrorist bases and airbases in Pakistan destroyed, but their malicious intentions and audacity were also defeated. He said if Pakistan shows any further terrorist activity or military aggression, India will respond decisively. “This response will be on our terms, in our way,” he said.
Also, highlighting Indian Air Force’s (IAF) bravery during the Operation Sindoor, Defense Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday asserted that the operation is not over yet and whatever happened was just a “trailer”. Addressing Air Warriors at Bhuj Air Force Station, Singh said, “We have kept Pakistan on probation. If its behavior improves, then okay, otherwise, it will be given strictest punishment. Operation Sindoor is not over yet. Whatever happened was just a trailer. When the right time comes, we will show the full picture to the world.”
The defense minister paid homage to those who lost lives during Operation sindoor and wished for the speedy recovery of the injured ones. “Bhuj was witness to our victory against Pakistan in 1965 and 1971. and today again it has been witness to our victory against Pakistan. I feel proud to be present here,” Singh said.
Praising IAF for their execution during Operation Sindoor he said, “Whatever you did during Operation Sindoor, has made all Indians proud – whether they are in India or abroad. Just 23 minutes were enough for the Indian Air Force to crush terrorism being nurtured in Pakistan.”
He asserted that the current ceasefire means that India has kept Pakistan on probation on the basis of its behavior. If the behavior improves, it is fine; but if there is any disturbance, harshest punishment will be given, he said.
Stating that Pakistan has again started to rebuild its terror infrastructure destroyed by India, Singh called upon the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to reconsider its one-billion-dollar assistance to Islamabad and refrain from providing any support in future as well. “Pakistan will spend the tax collected from its citizens to give around Rs 14 crore to Masood Azhar, the head of Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorist organization, even though he is a UN-designated terrorist. The Pakistan government has also announced financial assistance to rebuild the terror infrastructure of Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed located in Muridke and Bahawalpur.
The Defense Minister also said that a large part of the loan that the IMF had given Pakistan would be used to fund terror infrstructure.
Meanwhile, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Thursday strictly reaffirmed that the Kashmir issue is a bilateral matter, focusing on Pakistan’s illegal occupation of Indian territory in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. He said that the Indian government is willing to discuss the Kashmir issue with Pakistan, specifically regarding the vacating of illegally occupied Indian territory.
Jaishankar, while talking to reporters on the sidelines of the inauguration of the Embassy of Honduras, said, “So sometimes the Kashmir issue has been brought up again. The only thing which remains to be discussed on Kashmir is the vacating of illegally occupied Indian territory in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. We are open to discussing that with Pakistan. So I want you to spell out our positions very clearly so that you know what is in your minds and what many of you have raised with me on various occasions. The government’s position is very, very clear.”
He reiterated that India’s relations with Pakistan will remain strictly bilateral, with a focus on counter-terrorism efforts and emphasized that India’s dealings with Pakistan will be bilateral, without any third-party involvement.
Jaishankar stated that Pakistan expected to take concrete actions on terrorism and needed to hand over a list of terrorists and dismantle terrorist infrastructure.
The Indian Army too is sending a clear message to Pakistan.
On May 14, COAS General Upendra Dwivedi along with Chief of Defense Staff General Anil Chauhan Chief of Navy Staff Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi and Air Chief Marshal AP Singh provided a direct perspective from the Apex Leadership of Indian Armed Forces into the successful conduct of Operation Sindoor on Wednesday.
Insights into Tri-Services synergy achieved during the operation were deliberated upon during this interaction. “General Anil Chauhan, Chief of Defense Staff (CDS), along with General Upendra Dwivedi (COAS), Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi (CNS) and Air Chief Marshal AP Singh (CAS) provide a direct perspective from the Apex Leadership of Indian Armed Forces into the successful conduct of Operation Sindoor. Insights on the TriServices synergy achieved through clearly stated Strategic guidance, and the successful execution of new-age multi-domain operations, with an exceptional degree of Jointness and Integration, deliberated with Veterans and Think Tanks,” Headquarters Integrated Defense Staff wrote.
The military operation is over. But India will continue to give its message to all over the world.
India is likely to embark on a diplomatic mission to present its’s viewpoint on India-Pak conflict to world leaders particularly regarding Kashmir and cross-border terrorism. A delegation of MPs from various parties, including NDA, BJD, Congress, and others, will visit prominent nations such as: US, UK, Japan, South Africa, Qatar and UAE, commencing after May 22.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju is leading the coordination efforts for this international tour, marking a significant step in India’s diplomatic outreach. The key objectives of the tour is to enlighten global leaders about the recent tensions between India and Pakistan, while also showcasing India’s strategic viewpoint and garner support from the international community, said sources on Friday.
This international outreach aims to bolster India’s global stance and foster international cooperation. With diverse political representation, the delegation is poised to effectively convey India’s perspective on the recent conflict and its strategic priorities.
MPs have received invitations, and each delegation will comprise 5-6 members, their key task is to effectively communicate India’s stance and garner support from the international community, the sources added.
As per sources, the delegations will comprise prominent leaders and Parliamentarians from across the political lines. The groups will likely to leave for different destinations across the world on May 22- 23.
This will be the first time that the Centre will depute MPs from multiple parties to present India’s stance on Kashmir and cross-border terrorism originating from Pakistan. Each delegation will comprise 5-6 MPs from various political parties, including NDA, BJD, Congress, and others, along with an official from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and a government representative.
MPs have been advised to keep their passports and other travel-related documents ready. The delegations are likely to depart India for various countries on May 22 -23 and return in the first week of June.
After rattling Pakistan with missiles, India will be embarking on a diplomatic offensive to further strangle the terror network inside Pakistan.
