Operation Sindoor-Positive Outcomes

OPERATION SINDOOR, which lasted only four days, had an astounding success. But many in the country argue that it failed to impose sufficient cost on Pakistan, particularly when India held a dominant position across all the domains land, air, naval, cyber and international. While such critics are understandable, a more careful examination reveals a different picture. Here are the positive outcomes of Operation Sindoor from India’s point of view:

1 First, India’s response adhered to its doctrine of limited war under the nuclear threshold, but the scale and precision of strikes, extending from Karachi to Rawalpindi, marked a departure from previous patterns. By targeting key military and terrorist infrastructure across Pakistan, tilted the outcome of this short war in India’s favour, and exposed the limitations of Pakistan’s nuclear posturing.

2 The most notable achievement was India’s targeting of Pakistan’s nuclear infrastructure including Kirana Hills and Noor Khan Airbase. These strikes between two nuclear states, directly challenged the thinking that nuclear capabilities would shield Pakistan from kinetic retaliation. This sent a signal to Pakistan that nuclear weapons are no longer hold advantage for proxy war or cross border terrorism.

3 India has successfully institutionalized the new normal. Since the surgical strikes in 2016 and the Balakot air strikes in 2019, India has consistently moved toward a policy of prompt military retaliation for major terrorist provocations. The targeted bombing of Jaish-e Mohammad’s headquarters and Lashkar-e Taiba base, further enhance this perception of new normal.

4 Unlike previous episodes of conflict, India also ensured dominance in the information domain. It did not allow Pakistan Army to get away with their false propaganda. Timely evidence based briefings from India Authorities helped counter Pakistani disinformation. A particularly symbolic moment came when Indian PM landed of Adampur airbase after the ceasefire,  which destroyed the Pakistani claim that they have damaged this airbase.

5 India’s decision to avoid strikes in Balochistan and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa regions which are already plagued by internal dissent, could be a calculated act of restraint. This denied  Pakistan the opportunity to unify its restive peripheries around a nationalist cause, and kept the conflict limited to strategic and symbolic targets.

6 What could be seen as an official doctrinal shift, PM Modi’s 13^th May 2025 speech firmly delinked future engagement with Pakistan from the issue of Kashmir, except in terms of terrorism and return of Pakistan-occupied are of Kashmir. This builds on the 2019 abrogation of Article 370, which had already complicated Pakistan’s ability to internationalise  the Kashmir issue. The new formulation makes it harder on Pakistan to revive global interest in bilateral dispute that India now frames primarily in terms of security and territorial integrity.

7 Finally, the most significant long-term development was India’s decision to hold the Indus Water Treaty in ‘abeyance’. Despite being a cornerstone on India-Pakistan hydro-diplomacy since 1960, the treaty has increasingly constrained India’s ability to respond asymmetrically. By suspending its obligations without provoking international censure,, India has introduced a new tool of leverage, particularly relevant as Pakistan’s water crisis deepens.  This suggests a new willingness to use geo-economic pressure as part of broader strategic tool.

In the end, Operation Sindoor marks a watershed moment in India’s national security strategy. For the first time in many decades, Pakistan finds itself without viable off-ramp, facing sustained pressure on military, political and economic fronts. However, the tactical successes are important, but they must serve long-term strategic objectives. India’s challenge is now to consolidate these gains without slipping into complacency. The focus must shift from merely deterring Pakistan’s  provocations to systematically dismantling the conditions- ideological, institutional and structural-that enables its continued hostility. Efforts must be maintained towards its further disintegration to create better conditions of peace in the region.

Waiting for your views on this blog.

Anil Malik

Mumbai, India

22^nd May 2025