With Operation Sindoor, the Indian Armed Forces have etched their place in the annals of history. This was a precise and rapid blitzkrieg style offensive by the Indian Air Force (IAF) on Pakistani military targets. Remarkably, the strikes were executed without physically crossing the international border, showcasing India’s capacity to hit enemy positions at a time and place of its choosing, with minimal collateral exposure.
Unlike the Balakot airstrikes of 2019 which, though strategically significant, involved high risk and led to the downing of an IAF jet, the capture of Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, and a tragic friendly fire incident, Operation Sindoor reflected a new level of military sophistication. It was marked by calibrated planning, joint coordination, and precision targeting, signaling India’s matured strategic posture.
The message was unmistakable: those who underestimate India’s military and intelligence capabilities will pay a steep price.
The USA’s conduct during Operation Sindoor
The United States, driven by its long-standing strategic interests in Pakistan and Central Asia, has been visibly unsettled. Historically, Washington has preferred a conventional land war scenario where India might be drawn into a prolonged ground conflict with Pakistan. Such a situation could drain Indian resources and potentially pull India closer to the U.S. defense umbrella, enabling arms sales and deeper strategic dependence. This time, India chose differently.
U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance initially dismissed the flare-up, saying, “This conflict is none of our concern.” So, what changed? Why the sudden diplomatic flurry involving both Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio just days later? The answer lies in the scale and intensity of Indian airstrikes, particularly the reported targeting of Pakistan’s Nur Khan Airbase—one of its most fortified military installations near Rawalpindi, not far from critical nuclear infrastructure.
Following these developments, the U.S. reportedly attempted indirect mediation via regional actors like Saudi Arabia—an initiative India categorically rebuffed.
Given its complex interests, the U.S. is unlikely to acknowledge the full implications of India’s assertiveness. As long as Pax Americana persists, public recognition of shifting regional power dynamics should not be expected.
Regarding U.S.-India relations, both sides have invested in building trust since the Cold War era suspicion that peaked during the 1971 Indo-Pak war. However, the unpredictability of a single disruptive presidency—such as that of Donald Trump—can compel India to adopt a more cautious and calculated approach. While diplomatic engagement and strategic cooperation with Washington will likely persist, New Delhi may choose to recalibrate its posture to become more transactional, safeguarding its autonomy in an increasingly multipolar world.
Losses, Leadership and the Need to maintain Alertness
On the issue of Indian losses: combat always carries a cost. Rumors circulate about a Rafale being downed, though no official confirmation exists. Even if true, such losses are inevitable in war. These machines are built to kill and, occasionally, be lost. The United States has lost MQ-9 Reaper drones in Yemen to Houthi forces, and even Turkey’s less-publicized Asisguard Songar drones have faced setbacks. In Operation Sindoor, Pakistani assets suffered significant losses to Indian projectiles and air defenses. The fog of war is real and India will release loss figures at its discretion, if at all.
As for Prime Minister Narendra Modi, I have been a consistent critic over the past four years, and for valid reasons. However, his leadership during this conflict must be acknowledged. He instilled strategic resolve in the national security architecture and advanced the doctrine of defensive offense. History will remember this shift under his leadership.
To conclude on a somber note: this is not the end. The Pakistani military, especially its jihadist factions, will likely retaliate—either directly or through proxies—potentially targeting Indian cities in a bid to regain parity after this blitzkrieg. Our intelligence agencies, armed forces, and citizens must remain alert, as a broader escalation involving China, possibly in the Himalayas or the Indian Ocean, cannot be ruled out.
Jai Hind.
NOTE: The article was authored by Vidura Uvaca (@ViduraUvacha on X) and was originally posted on his blog here.
