Reassessing India's Pakistan Policy Post-Operation Sindoor
Best of Both Sides | A year after Operation Sindoor: India’s Pakistan policy needs an endgame
The Indian Express
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Context
Operation Sindoor was launched by India in response to a terror attack in April 2025, targeting key military sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir. The operation aimed to establish a new normal in India's approach to Pakistan, asserting that India would no longer tolerate terrorism or nuclear blackmail.
What The Author Says
The author argues that while Operation Sindoor was a tactical success, it has not brought India closer to its strategic goals regarding Pakistan, highlighting a lack of a defined endgame.
Key Arguments
📗 Facts
- Operation Sindoor was launched in April 2025 following a terror attack near Pahalgam, India.
- India targeted nine military sites in Pakistan and PoK during Operation Sindoor.
- The Lal Qila terror attack in November 2025 was linked to Pakistan-sponsored radicalization.
📕 Opinions
- The author believes that India's military actions have not translated into strategic success against Pakistan.
- There is a perception that Pakistan's international standing has improved post-Operation Sindoor.
Counterpoints
Operation Sindoor may deter future attacks.
Military actions can serve as a warning to adversaries, potentially reducing the likelihood of future aggression.
Pakistan's internal challenges may weaken its position.
Economic difficulties and political instability within Pakistan could eventually limit its capacity for external aggression.
Diplomacy can follow military action.
A strong military response can create leverage for future diplomatic negotiations, potentially leading to a more favorable outcome.
Bias Assessment
The author presents a critical view of both Indian and Pakistani strategies, focusing on the need for a balanced approach.
Why This Matters
Recent geopolitical shifts, including Pakistan's improved relations with the United States and its role in the US-Iran conflict, make the assessment of India's Pakistan policy particularly relevant now.
🤔 Think About
- •What are the long-term implications of continued military actions without diplomacy?
- •Could a shift in Pakistan's internal politics alter its approach to India?
- •How might international dynamics influence India's strategy towards Pakistan?
- •Is there a viable path to peace that involves both deterrence and diplomatic engagement?
Opens original article on The Indian Express
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