In a dramatic display of military superiority, India’s swift and precise actions under Operation Sindoor have redefined the geopolitical landscape of South Asia. The events of May 7 to May 10 have not only highlighted India’s unmatched operational readiness but also exposed Pakistan’s fragility when faced with a modern and resolute Indian military.
What unfolded in the early hours of May 10 — including missile strikes on Pakistan’s Nur Khan Air Base and a looming Indian Navy offensive on Karachi — was not just a tactical victory, but a strategic message: India and Pakistan are no longer in the same league.
India’s Decisive Strike and Pakistan’s Capitulation
On the morning of May 10, the Indian Armed Forces carried out a well-coordinated missile strike on the Nur Khan Air Base near Islamabad, deep within Pakistani territory. This was not a warning — it was the culmination of a carefully calculated military response to the Pahalgam terror attack that had claimed the lives of 26 innocent civilians.
Even before the dust had settled, panic gripped Islamabad. Pakistan’s Director General of Military Operations (DGMO), Maj. Gen. Kashif Abdullah, urgently contacted his Indian counterpart at 10:38 a.m., raising alarms over an impending BrahMos missile strike on the Karachi Naval Port. His tone was reportedly threatening, but India’s DGMO remained calm and firm — fully prepared for any eventuality.
Meanwhile, in Washington, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio was desperately trying to connect with India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and NSA Ajit Doval to mediate a ceasefire. Jaishankar, in a dignified yet resolute manner, conveyed that such matters must go through DGMO channels, reaffirming that the Indian Armed Forces were in full operational command.
Western Media Narratives vs. Ground Realities
While segments of Western and French state media tried to draw equivalence between India and Pakistan — or worse, suggested China’s military technology outclassed India’s — the battlefield told a different story.
India had successfully neutralized 11 Pakistani airbases, dismantled key radar networks, and completely jammed Chinese-supplied air defense systems. In contrast, Pakistan had no credible response mechanism left, particularly east of the Indus River.
Indian drones, Rafale jets, loitering munitions, and standoff weapons functioned flawlessly. Contrary to the French media’s self-critical take on Rafale performance, these jets executed their missions with surgical precision.
Why India Didn’t Escalate Further
Despite having overwhelming firepower at its disposal and complete air superiority, India chose not to escalate after the Rawalpindi strike. This decision wasn’t a concession but a strategic calculation. Mission objectives — the destruction of Pakistan’s terror infrastructure — had already been achieved within 25 minutes on May 7.
Continuing military operations, Indian strategists assessed, would only serve Pakistan’s propaganda interests — allowing them to play the victim to their Western and Chinese allies. Moreover, India had no interest in causing civilian casualties in Balochistan or Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where separatist sentiments already run high.
China, Turkey, and the Road Ahead
India’s intelligence indicated that Chinese and Turkish advisors were embedded within Pakistan’s air defense and drone warfare teams. This has opened a new chapter in India’s foreign policy — one where retaliation might not stop at Pakistan’s borders.
In response, the Modi government is actively ramping up investments in:
- Stand-off weapons systems
- High-altitude combat drones
- Swarm drone technology, akin to Turkey’s Bayraktar
- US-made Predator drones, with 31 units set to be inducted by 2028
Suspension of Indus Waters Treaty: Economic Pressure Mounts
Adding another layer of pressure, India is expected to formally suspend the Indus Waters Treaty next month — a move that could have severe implications for Pakistan’s agrarian economy. With diplomatic efforts under Operation Sindoor in full swing, New Delhi is already engaging global partners to explain its rationale, pre-empting any international backlash.
A New Doctrine Emerges
Operation Sindoor was not just a military operation — it was a signal that India will no longer tolerate cross-border terrorism or hybrid war tactics. The swift, effective, and restrained response showcased a matured Indian statecraft that now speaks the language of strength, clarity, and strategic autonomy.
India’s message to the world is unequivocal: while the West may choose diplomatic doublespeak, New Delhi will act firmly when its sovereignty and civilian lives are at stake.
