Operation Sindoor, India’s response to the April 22 slaughter of Hindu tourists in Pahalgam by terrorists from Pakistan, signals a historic shift in India’s strategic doctrine, says Former Deputy National Security Adviser and seasoned diplomat Pankaj Saran.
In a candid conversation, Saran—a former ambassador to Russia and High Commissioner to Bangladesh—unpacks what he believes is a generational turning point in India’s response to cross-border terrorism. “We are witnessing the most significant shift in two decades—not just in capability but in intent,” he says. “The era of bluster is over. This time, India acted first and spoke later.”
Saran argues that Operation Sindoor represents more than just a retaliatory strike. “It marks the collapse of the nuclear blackmail paradigm,” he says, referring to Pakistan’s long-standing use of its nuclear capability as a deterrent against Indian military responses. According to him, Prime Minister Modi’s unequivocal messaging—“try it,”—is a direct challenge to this doctrine and signals India’s refusal to be shackled by the threat of escalation.
A key development, he notes, is India putting the Indus Waters Treaty “in the balance” for the first time, a step he calls “hugely significant.” But the real message, Saran says, lies in the targeting—going after not just the foot soldiers of terror, but their sponsors and masterminds.
On whether Pakistan has “got the message,” Saran is clear: “This time, the rules of engagement have changed.” And for those in the West who continue to hyphenate India and Pakistan, he has a blunt response: “We’ve grown up. We don’t need validation.”
He adds that this doctrine shift didn’t come out of the blue. “We tried everything—from UN listings to FATF to diplomatic outreach. This new posture is the product of both maturity and frustration.”
A rare deep dive into the strategic recalibration now shaping the subcontinent, this interview with Ambassador Saran is a must-watch for anyone trying to make sense of India’s emerging security posture and the future of South Asian geopolitics.
