India responds to terror with strategic precision

Source: The post India responds to terror with strategic precision has been created, based on the article “Operation Sindoor and beyond: Think about the Pakistan challenge, long-term” published in “Indian Express” on 8th May 2025. India responds to terror with strategic precision.

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper3- Security-Security challenges and their management in border areas – linkages of organized crime with terrorism.

Context: The recent Pahalgam attack by Pakistan-linked terrorists marked a serious escalation, prompting India to launch Operation Sindoor. This article analyzes the operation’s rationale, broader national strategy, and the continuing challenges posed by Pakistan’s proxy war and regional hostility.

Operation Sindoor and Strategic Objectives

1. Targeted Action Backed by Political Will: India’s response was calibrated to avoid civilian harm while punishing terror outfits. PM Modi gave operational freedom to the military. The action was in line with the nation’s right to self-defence.
2. Unprecedented Scale and Planning: The strike hit nine sites simultaneously, including long-standing terror hubs like Muridke and Bahawalpur. The action showed deep planning and high risk-taking, designed to achieve objectives with limited escalation or global backlash.
3. Managing Narrative and Cyber Threats: India won the perception battle early. However, future escalation may require not just military dominance but communications leadership. Attention must also be paid to cybersecurity, as threats may come from multiple sources.

Diplomatic Challenges and Global Response

1. Weak Global Pressure on Pakistan: While India’s case was acknowledged, global powers avoided strong action. Western aid to Pakistan rarely enforced terrorism clauses. US and Europe focus more on preventing conflict than punishing sponsors of terror.
2. Tactical Blindness and Strategic Bias: Pakistan’s army is seen as essential to regional stability. This leads to tolerance for its nuclear threats and proxy war strategy. India also faces resistance from China and indifference from parts of the Global South.
3. Water Conflicts and Perception Wars: Pakistan may use the Indus Water Treaty to provoke tensions. Similar issues, like Nepal’s resentment post-2015 blockade or Bangladesh’s Teesta grievances, show how water can be weaponized against India in public perception.

Terrorism’s Persistent Asymmetry

1. Psychological and Strategic Impact: Terror attacks deepen Partition-era trauma and weaken social unity. Retaliations drain military, diplomatic, and economic resources, even though they are often necessary.
2. State-Sponsored and Sustainable Proxy War: Terror groups in Pakistan operate under military protection. With millions of unemployed, radicalized youth, Pakistan can sustain low-cost proxy war indefinitely.
3. Misplaced Coercion Risks: Forceful steps can either change outcomes or harden hostility. India must balance pressure with sensitivity, especially on issues that can trigger long-term resentment in the region.

Strengthening India’s Counter-Terror Strategy

1. Reinforcing the Five Ps Approach: India must enhance its strategy to predict, prevent, pre-empt, protect, and punish. Terrorists need to succeed once, while security forces must succeed every day.
2. Military Upgradation and Civil Oversight: India must invest in mobile forces, terrain-specific unmanned systems, and asymmetric reach. But secrecy should not prevent public and parliamentary accountability.
3. Inclusive National Security: All Kashmiris must not be seen as complicit. Broader trust and vigilance within society are essential to prevent radicalization and maintain unity.

A Long-Term Vision for South Asia

1. Strategic Engagement over Dismissal: India should not ignore Pakistan. Instead, it must push global recognition of Pakistan’s role in terrorism and work to alter its internal political dynamics.
2. Using Global Standing Wisely: India must leverage its rising influence to gain global endorsement on Jammu & Kashmir and isolate Pakistan diplomatically.
3. Balancing Global and Regional Focus: While eyeing global leadership, India must also secure its neighbourhood. A safe Bharat is key to building a Viksit Bharat.

Question for practice:

Examine how Operation Sindoor reflects India’s evolving counter-terrorism strategy in response to Pakistan’s proxy war.