Operation Sindoor: India's New Anti-Terror Doctrine and Assertive Foreign Policy

Operation Sindoor: retaliation to the Pahalgam terror attack

What Marks a New Chapter in India's Fight Against Terrorism?

With Operation Sindoor, India has not only mounted its most intense military campaign since Kargil but also unveiled a new strategic doctrine that goes beyond traditional deterrence. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s speech, delivered after the precision strikes on May 7 in retaliation to the Pahalgam terror attack, signals a qualitative shift in India’s counter-terror posture—a doctrine underscoring swift, calibrated, and uncompromising response to terrorism, irrespective of nuclear threats or international pressure.

Modi outlined three foundational pillars of this new approach:

1. India will retaliate on its own terms.

2. There will be zero tolerance for nuclear blackmail.

3. No distinction will be made between terrorists, their masterminds, and the states that sponsor them.

This framework represents what the Prime Minister referred to as a “new normal”, reflecting a lower threshold for future military responses and a higher level of strategic aggression. By framing Operation Sindoor as part of the global war on terror, Modi has elevated India’s actions into a broader international narrative.

How Does Operation Sindoor Fit into India's Evolving Deterrence Framework?

India's military responses to cross-border terrorism have evolved significantly since the 2016 surgical strikes and the 2019 Balakot air strikes. But Operation Sindoor marks the first time:

• A direct and massive strike was launched deep into Pakistani territory.

• India responded despite Pakistan’s overt nuclear posturing, including an emergency call of its Nuclear Command Authority which was later withdrawn.

• The Prime Minister explicitly named terror outfits like Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Taiba, and linked them to global terror incidents in the US and UK, reinforcing the idea that India’s fight is part of the global counter-terror coalition.

India’s ability to neutralize multiple terror hubs, destroy key Pakistani airbases, and intercept enemy drones and missiles showcased its technological superiority and intelligence-led preparedness.

What Message Has India Sent to Pakistan and the World?

Prime Minister Modi made it unequivocally clear: military action is only suspended, not withdrawn. India will continue to monitor Pakistan’s actions before making further decisions. This calculated restraint—combined with overwhelming offensive strength—illustrates a new doctrine of calibrated escalation, sending a firm message to Islamabad and the global community alike.

In an important strategic declaration, Modi emphasized:

“Terror and talks cannot go together. Terror and trade cannot go together. Water and blood cannot flow together.”

This statement reinforces a policy of disengagement unless Pakistan dismantles its terror infrastructure. Modi’s speech also drew a red line—any dialogue with Pakistan must be limited to terrorism or Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).

How Is India Framing Its Doctrine within a Global Context?

By positioning Operation Sindoor within the broader war on terror—akin to post-9/11 US and NATO military responses—Modi is inviting the international community to view India’s actions as just and necessary. His invocation of the phrase, “This is not the era of war, but this is also not the era of terrorism,” echoes his message to Russian President Vladimir Putin and seeks to:

• Reassure global powers that India’s actions are measured, not belligerent.

• Deflect criticism from those questioning the pause in hostilities.

• Emphasize unity and justice, not partisanship, in the face of terrorism.

How Has National Unity Been Projected Through Operation Sindoor?

In a political climate often marked by division, Modi consciously framed Operation Sindoor as a united national response, rising above party lines, religious identities, and social classes. By dedicating the operation to the women of India—mothers, sisters, and daughters—he wove the security of the nation into the personal safety of families, reflecting his broader political emphasis on women empowerment.

“Operation Sindoor is not just a name. It is a reflection of the emotions of millions. It is our unwavering commitment to justice.”

The symbolism of "Sindoor", traditionally associated with marital commitment and familial protection, was strategically invoked to turn national security into a collective emotional issue, stirring public consciousness.

Is This the Emergence of the Jaishankar-Modi Foreign Policy Doctrine?

India’s external engagement today reflects not only growing strategic assertiveness but also a deliberate philosophical shift in diplomacy. What has emerged in the last decade under Modi, and more pointedly through External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, is a shift from the post-Independence legacy of non-alignment to a new approach of multi-alignment.

Jaishankar has framed this as:

“A multi-polar world requires a multi-vector strategy and multi-alignment by India.”

Unlike Nehruvian non-alignment, which was passive and reactive, the new doctrine is proactive and strategic, driven by both interests and values. India now actively seeks outcomes that benefit its national interests, while also upholding its civilizational ethos and democratic values.

How Is Multi-Alignment Reflected in India’s Current Geopolitical Choices?

India’s foreign policy choices since the Ukraine War and the Gaza conflict have illustrated this nuanced, strategic balancing act. Examples include:

• Buying discounted crude oil from Russia, while strengthening defence ties with the US.

• Supporting Israel’s right to respond, while continuing port development discussions in Iran.

• Responding differently to allegations from Canada and the US over assassination plots.

Such a complex diplomatic web demonstrates India’s ability to maintain strategic autonomy while being globally integrated. However, it also raises a fundamental question—is India only pursuing national interest, or is there a values-based component in this approach?

Can India Sustain Its Stance Amid Cold War 2.0?

The real test of the Jaishankar-Modi Doctrine will arise if the current multi-polar world polarizes once again into a new Cold War between China-Russia and the West. If forced to choose sides, India will have to determine whether it can maintain deep partnerships with conflicting powers without formal alliances.

This doctrine works as long as:

• Multi-polarity remains viable.

• India’s independent leverage continues to be accepted by all global actors.

• Diplomacy reflects both moral integrity and strategic coherence.

In essence, India is signaling to the world: “We are here to play—not to be played.”

The Era of Assertive Diplomacy and Integrated Nationalism

Through Operation Sindoor and the evolving Jaishankar-Modi doctrine, India is making two key assertions:

1. National security is non-negotiable, and deterrence will no longer be passive.

2. Foreign policy will reflect a confident India—capable of balancing interests, projecting values, and shaping the global discourse.

As terrorism evolves and great power rivalries return, India’s challenge will be to navigate a turbulent global order while remaining true to its identity—as a civilizational power with modern capabilities and a global conscience with national grit.