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News18
3 days ago
- Politics
- News18
India's New Normal: Zero Tolerance For Terror
PM Modi underlined that India has laid down a new red line with Operation Sindoor on terrorism, calling it the new normal. Operation Sindoor was a masterclass in modern warfare, showcasing India's evolution from traditional military tactics to a tech-driven, intelligence-led approach. The Indian Armed Forces, comprising the Army, Air Force and Navy, worked in seamless coordination, employing indigenously developed weapons like the BrahMos missile, Akash air defense system and D-4 anti-drone systems. The operation was marked by real-time intelligence, surgical strikes, and non-kinetic warfare in domains like space, cyber and electronic warfare, highlighting India's technological edge. 'Terror and talks can't go together; terror and trade can't go together; blood and water can't flow together. No nuclear blackmail will be tolerated anymore," said PM Naredra Modi on May 12, 2025, in a spellbinding address to the nation. 'Operation Sindoor is the new policy on terror," added Modi. He underlined that India has laid down a new red line with this military operation on terrorism, calling it the new normal. It all began on May 7, 2025, when India launched Operation Sindoor, a meticulously planned and decisively executed military operation targeting terrorist infrastructure in both mainland Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). Spearheaded under the astute leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, this operation was a stunningly bold response to the brutal terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, on April 22, 2025, which claimed 26 lives, including tourists and a Nepali citizen. Operation Sindoor not only avenged the loss of innocent lives but also redefined India's national security doctrine, establishing a 'new normal". The Pahalgam terror attack was a grim reminder of Pakistan's persistent role in sponsoring cross-border terrorism. The attack, which targeted civilians, including women, was described by PM Modi as a 'personal tragedy" that wiped out the 'sindoor" (vermilion, a symbol of married women in India) of Indian sisters and daughters. The naming of the operation as Sindoor was a deliberate choice, suggested by Modi himself, to send a powerful message to terrorists about the consequences of targeting Indian citizens. The operation was launched in the early hours of May 7, 2025, with the Indian Armed Forces executing 24 precision strikes on nine terrorist targets across Pakistan and PoK in just 25 minutes. The operation was a retaliation for years of Pakistan's state-sponsored terrorism, with specific targets including terror camps in Bahawalpur and Muridke, which Modi publicly called 'universities of terror." The strikes eliminated over 100 deadly terrorists, including those involved in historical atrocities like the IC-814 hijacking and the Pulwama blasts. The success of Operation Sindoor lay not only in its immediate outcomes but also in its demonstration of India's military precision, technological superiority and unwavering resolve of the Modi government. The Indian Air Force (IAF) played a pivotal role, bypassing Pakistan's Chinese-supplied defence systems to deliver precise strikes on terrorist infrastructure and later, Pakistani military targets in response to their retaliatory attacks. Satellite imagery released by India showed extensive damage to Pakistani air bases, including Rahim Yar Khan, Rafiqui, Murid, Nur Khan, Sukkur, Chunian, Pasrur, and Sialkot, with craters on runways and destroyed military installations. The IAF's ability to neutralise Pakistan's drone and missile attacks, including intercepting incursions in Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Rajasthan and Gujarat, underscored India's formidable air defense capabilities. The operation also countered Pakistan's propaganda. When Pakistan claimed to have destroyed Indian assets like MiG-29 jets and S-400 systems, PM Modi's visit to the Adampur Air Base on May 13, 2025, with an intact MiG-29 and S-400 in the background, served as a visual rebuttal. This strategic move not only debunked Pakistan's false narrative but also boosted the morale of Indian troops and citizens. Operation Sindoor was more than a mere military operation; it was a tactical, doctrinal shift in India's approach to terrorism. In his televised address to the nation on May 13, 2025, PM Modi emphasised that the operation was a 'new normal" in India's national security policy, characterised by three key principles: zero tolerance for terrorism, no engagement with nuclear blackmail and no differentiation between terrorists and their state sponsors. This policy shift was a direct challenge to Pakistan's long-standing strategy of using terrorism as a tool of statecraft while hiding behind the threat of nuclear escalation. PM Modi's iconic address on May 12, 2025, emphasised that Operation Sindoor was not concluded but merely 'on hold," with the future depending on Pakistan's behaviour. He warned that any further terror attacks would be met with a 'befitting reply" on India's terms. This assertive stance resonated globally, with India briefing defence attaches from 70 nations (excluding China) on the operation's success, reinforcing its message of strength and resolve. The operation also exposed Pakistan's complicity in terrorism. Modi highlighted instances of Pakistani military officers attending terrorists' funerals, presenting this as evidence of State-sponsored terrorism. By targeting not just terror camps but also military installations in response to Pakistan's retaliatory strikes, India sent a clear message that it would hold the Pakistani State accountable for its actions. At the heart of Operation Sindoor's success was the decisive leadership of PM Narendra Modi. His hands-on approach, from naming the operation to chairing multiple meetings of the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), ensured that the operation was executed with precision and aligned with India's broader strategic goals. Modi's ability to unite the nation was evident in the bipartisan support for the operation, with even opposition leaders like Congress MP Shashi Tharoor praising his handling of the conflict. Tharoor described Modi's leadership as 'extremely well" executed, lauding the operation's planning and messaging. Modi's personal touch was also evident in his engagement with the armed forces. His visit to the Adampur Air Base, where he addressed soldiers and linked modern Indian weaponry to the legendary horse Chetak of Maharana Pratap, boosted troop morale and resonated with the public. By dedicating the operation's success to India's mothers, sisters, and daughters, Modi connected the fight against terrorism to a deeply emotional and cultural narrative, strengthening national resolve. Moreover, the Modi government took proactive steps to counter misinformation and cyberattacks. During the operation, India reportedly faced significant cyberattacks from State-backed hackers in Pakistan and China, India's robust cybersecurity measures however, neutralised these threats, ensuring operational continuity. The government also withheld the X account of Turkish broadcaster TRT World in India, citing its role in spreading anti-India narratives, further demonstrating Modi's commitment to safeguarding national interests. Domestically, Operation Sindoor galvanised the nation. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) organised Tiranga Yatra processions across the country to honor the armed forces, with participation from retired soldiers. Public sentiment was overwhelmingly positive, with reports of parents in Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan naming newborn girls 'Sindoor" in tribute to the operation. The operation also sparked a surge in defence stocks, reflecting investor confidence in India's military capabilities. Internationally, Operation Sindoor reshaped perceptions of India's military and diplomatic clout. The operation established India as a self-reliant power capable of unilateral action. India's decision to brief 70 nations on the operation underscored its intent to project strength and transparency on the global stage. Pakistan, on the other hand, was left reeling by its inability to counter India's narrative or military success. Clearly, under the Modi doctrine, self-reliance not only means catering to India's own security needs, but it also envisages making the country a key exporter of defence equipment to the global market. The launch of the BrahMos facility in Lucknow for instance, is a firm stride towards making India a significant player in the world's defence production ecosystem. Creating a strong development ecosystem and implementing initiatives such as setting-up of UPDIC, establishment of DRDO's Defence Technology & Test Centre in Lucknow and hosting DefExpo in 2020, have been major milestones. The new facility in Lucknow will give a fillip to the Make-in-India initiative, Aatmanirbharta and investment in defence manufacturing. The 200-acre BrahMos Integration and Testing Facility Centre in Lucknow will have integration of booster subassemblies, avionics, propellant and Ramjet engines. The Rs 300 crore complex will pave the way for skill development for industry and entrepreneurs in a long way. The entire defence ecosystem of ancillary and sub-assemblies will be developed in the vicinity to support the complex. It will help in a big way in industrialisation and skill development of students of ITI, supervisors, and engineers. It will also ensure that people are not forced to migrate to look for job opportunities. The Indian armed forces' ability to execute such Operation Sindoor in a short time frame was the result of years of modernisation under Modi's dynamic leadership. The shift to a 'non-contact war model," emphasising drones, missiles, and cyber capabilities, enabled India to strike deep into enemy territory without risking large-scale troop deployments. This transformation, painstakingly built over a decade, distinguished Operation Sindoor from earlier operations like the 2016 Uri surgical strikes and the 2019 Balakot airstrikes, which relied on traditional warfare models. Needless to add, Operation Sindoor,has been a 'quantum leap" from the localized 2016 Surgical Strike and the single-target 2019 Balakot Airstrike, targeting multiple, high-value sites deep inside Pakistan's heartland, including the Punjab province, near Lahore. From basic ground combat (2016) to advanced air-delivered munitions (2019) to sophisticated standoff missiles and drones (2025), Sindoor reflects India's shift to technology-driven warfare, under the bold and visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The far-sighted Modi doctrine, emphatically establishing India's new normal, is essentially all about putting the nation first, self-reliance, combat readiness, technological agility and above all, a ruthlessly uncompromising attitude when it comes to crushing terror in any form. top videos View all Looking ahead, Operation Sindoor has set a precedent for India's response to terrorism. The operation's success has strengthened Modi's image as a tough negotiator and a leader committed to national security. Operation Sindoor stands as a testament to India's resolve, military prowess and the visionary leadership of PM Narendra Modi. By targeting terrorist infrastructure with unprecedented precision, countering Pakistan's propaganda and redefining India's national security doctrine, the operation has reshaped the dynamics of India-Pakistan relations. Modi's ability to unite the nation, leverage indigenous technology and project strength globally has made Operation Sindoor a super success, not just in military terms but as a symbol of India's unwavering commitment to justice and sovereignty. As the operation remains 'on hold," the world watches to see how Pakistan responds to India's new normal – a normal defined by strength, resolve, and zero tolerance for terrorism. Sanju Verma is an Economist, National Spokesperson for BJP and Bestselling Author of 'The Modi Gambit'. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18's views. Click here to add News18 as your preferred news source on Google. tags : Operation Sindoor pm narendra modi view comments Location : New Delhi, India, India First Published: August 14, 2025, 16:08 IST News opinion Opinion | India's New Normal: Zero Tolerance For Terror Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Time of India
12-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
'OK. Tested': Operation Sindoor has thrown up many bestsellers
Synopsis Operation Sindoor highlighted India's military might and indigenous weapons. Akash missile system and anti-drone D-4 system proved effective. Nagastra-1 and SkyStriker loitering munitions were also used. BrahMos missile strikes forced Pakistan to seek a ceasefire. Defence exports have surged. Several countries have shown interest in India's indigenous weapons.
