The Rise of a New Doctrine
India’s security landscape has evolved dramatically in the 21st century. From the Kargil War to the 2025 Indo-Pak conflict, India has transitioned from a passive responder to a strategically proactive and technologically capable power. The nation’s defence policy no longer rests solely on restraint but increasingly emphasizes deterrence, swift retaliation, and regional dominance.
Legacy of Strategic Restraint: Why It Had to Change
Historically, India has adopted a restrained defence posture:
- Post-1947 wars were often followed by diplomatic resets.
- After 26/11, no significant military retaliation followed, despite public pressure.
- India’s nuclear doctrine remained “No First Use”, reinforcing its image of defensive pacifism.
But repeated provocations — Kargil (1999), Uri (2016), Pulwama (2019), Galwan (2020) — exposed the cost of inaction. The nation needed a shift: from reaction to proactive deterrence.
Case Study: 2025 India-Pakistan Escalation
Trigger: Attack on Tourists in Kashmir (April 2025)
On April 22, 2025, militants attacked a tourist area near Pahalgam in Indian-administered Kashmir, killing 28 civilians, predominantly Hindu tourists. India attributed the attack to Pakistan-backed groups, particularly The Resistance Front, an offshoot of Lashkar-e-Taiba, though the group later denied responsibility, claiming their communications had been compromised. This incident ignited a series of retaliatory measures and military actions between the two nations.
India’s Response: Operation Sindoor
In retaliation, India launched “Operation Sindoor” on May 7, 2025, targeting what it identified as terrorist infrastructure within Pakistan. The operation involved missile strikes by Indian Air Force jets, including Rafale fighters equipped with SCALP cruise missiles and Hammer bombs. Targets included areas in Bahawalpur, Muridke, and Muzaffarabad. India claimed the strikes eliminated over 100 militants, including close aides of Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Masood Azhar. Pakistan, however, reported civilian casualties and accused India of attacking non-military sites.
Pakistan’s Retaliation: Operation Bunyan al-Marsus
On May 10, Pakistan initiated “Operation Bunyan al-Marsus,” a counter-offensive involving missile and drone strikes targeting Indian military installations, including a missile storage facility in Adampur. Pakistan claimed to have destroyed an Indian air defense system using hypersonic missiles. India denied these claims and accused Pakistan of conducting drone attacks in civilian areas, leading to injuries. The operation marked a significant escalation, with both nations engaging in direct military confrontations.
Shift in India’s Military Thinking
This conflict highlights key components of India’s new approach:
Integrated Theatre Commands (ITCs)
- Unified command of Army, Navy, and Air Force for Western and Northern fronts.
- Allows faster response, real-time coordination.
Technological Modernisation
- Indigenous weapons: Tejas Mk-2, Astra Mk-2, Arjun Mk-1A tanks.
- Focus on AI-based surveillance, loitering munitions, and autonomous drones.
Cyber & Space Warfare Preparedness
- Cyber Command engaged in denial-of-service attacks on Pakistani communication systems.
- India’s Defence Space Agency (DSA) deployed small satellites for conflict monitoring.
Narrative Control
- MEA and MoD ran coordinated information campaigns, countering Pakistan’s disinformation globally.
Conclusion: India, Ready for Tomorrow
India’s defence doctrine in 2025 is no longer rooted in fear of escalation, but in fear of inaction. The era of “resilience” has been replaced by an era of decisive deterrence — fought across borders, cyberspace, airwaves, and satellite orbits.
“We do not seek war. But we no longer walk away from it.”