• Simply put, 23 learnings from Operation Sindoor followed by some Action Points for India/Indians.

By showing pictures of the results of bombing, Indian Armed Forces, showed that they took earlier criticism positively. Here are some key points for learning and observations from Operation Sindoor.

1. Indian Armed Forces showed the world that they could strike terror sites inside Pakistan (day 1 strikes) including in Pakistani Punjab. Nine at a time is intense. 

2. The Indian Air Defence System did well to protect border towns all along the Western sector.

They must be prepared for a scenario where similar drone attacks come on the western and eastern borders. Targeted eastern towns could include Kolkata, Darjeeling, Siliguri, Agartala, Tawang and Guwahati. 

3. Whatever may be the actual reasons for cessation of violence, by agreeing to such a cessation in less than a week, PM Modi has walked the talk on his statement, ‘this is not an era of war.’

4. By stating that future acts of terrorism would be treated as ‘acts of war’ India has upped the ante. We can expect Pakistan to test India’s response with terror strikes. 

India would need an integrated mode of attack policy that employs various tools.

5. That we are a progressive democratic nation is once again proven by our war against terror being represented by Colonel Sophia Qureshi and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh.

6. If Pakistan truly loved and cared for the people of Jammu and Kashmir, it would not have attacked civilians in Kashmir Valley and Jammu region.

People must realize that Pakistan is driven only by ego, not concern for Kashmiris/Indian Muslims. By attacking Kashmiris, Pakistan has only reinforced India’s claims to the UT of Jammu and Kashmir.    

7. Aim of Pakistan and China is to make India fail. The success of India implies failure of the idea of Pakistan. China believes India can prevent its hegemonic rise. 

8. As long as Pakistan exists in its current form, it will work hard to make India fail. Operation Sindoor shall not deter Pakistan. Any agreement/ceasefire shall hold good for a limited time post which it will attack India again.

9. Kashmir and a warped Islam is what the ruling establishment shall use to unite people of Pakistan. Is there a vision for the future!!

10. The neighbour wants to put Kashmir issue on international radar again and portray the sub-continent as a nuclear hotspot. It is their way of responding to modification of Article 370.

11. China and Turkey are very good friends of Pakistan. While assessing Pakistan’s strength look at capabilities of friends too in atleast select, if not all areas. Expect China to provide tacit support for sure.  

12. A senior retired diplomat said, “China is Pakistan's "all-weather friend". Pakistan is China's main weapon for “low-cost containment of India.” Pakistan's nuclear weapons and missiles are all designed by China. A huge proportion of its defence equipment is from China. It backs Pakistan in all international meetings. And its economic assistance to Pakistan is substantial. Beijing will remain a supporter of Pakistan in all international forums.” 

13. Do not underestimate your enemy.  

14. The West shall not allow Pakistan to become history unless Pakistan becomes a threat to it. It is a tool to help reinforce their global dominance.  

15. India must revisit its nuclear policy of ‘No First Use’.  Read  Revisting the Indian nuclear policy in view of rising international challenges  

16. More sections of the Indian media need to have a balanced unbiased narrative. There is too much of jingoism currently.

As a nation can we should work silently, with the faith that we reap what we sow, and let actions speak? Remember Vallabh Bhai Patel did not give himself the titles ‘Sardar’ or ‘Iron Man of India’, the people of India did. The titles are a reflection of his contribution. A nation that is confident of its abilities need not shout from the rooftop. When the world recognises India’s performance, their behaviour towards India will change. 

17. India must accelerate the pace of Make in India weapons.

It is the indigenously developed Akash Missiles that were an important part of India’s Air Defence System in Operation Sindoor. Now explore exports. 

18. India must not succumb to international pressure and maintain status quo on the Indus Water Treaty. Keeping the treaty in ‘abeyance’ is a wise decision. Utilise fully waters of eastern rivers and build storage capacity on western rivers in mission mode. Give eastern river waters to Punjab and Haryana rather than Pakistan. 

19. China’s desire to normalise relations with India is mainly to get access to its market and prevent India from getting closer to the U.S.

20. Russia will be a close friend but not as close as earlier due to emergence of the Russia China axis, thanks to U.S.A. actions.

21. USA shall be a transactional friend who wants India to grow as long as it suits its interests and contributes to its GDP growth. 

22. Bangladesh, notwithstanding 1971, shall support Pakistan in different ways. Infiltration from Bangladesh is India's biggest internal security threat.

23. India should be prepared for a demographic invasion from Pakistan. Courts must stay away from providing illegal immigrants protection or education in government schools in the name of secularism.

There is more to India than the Taj-West. 

Some Action Points for India / Indians

International Arms Sellers, supported by their government and local media, would state how well their arms performed or have great potential. The Indian Armed Forces, should reflect on actual performance and decide accordingly.

Indians must trust their armed forces and government to do the right thing. Constructive criticism and suggestions should be welcome by all.

Countering of Fake News, driven by countries and defence company rivalry, need to be done at a faster pace than was done during Operation Sindoor.

India must strengthen relations with Myanmar. What Afghanistan is to Pakistan, Myanmar is to Bangladesh!

Indians must stop taking connecting flights from Istanbul to the U.S. or Europe. Fly direct or via Frankfurt.

Hope Bollywood gives up its affection for Pakistani stars. Can the Government of India ban their presence in movies funded out of and released in India just like cricket players from Pakistan are not part of IPL.

Heed these words by late K Subrahmanyam, a noted strategic thinker and author, “A successful and democratic India, which rises fast and eliminates its poverty in a reasonable period, is the biggest challenge to the legitimacy of China... The competition between India and China is, therefore, an ideological one.” Source

Noted security expert Bharat Karnad wrote, “It helps Riyadh in the Islamic world if India, with the second largest Muslim population after Indonesia, is seen on its side not only in the competition with Erdogan and Turkey for leadership, but in the more significant Sunni-Shia tussle underway with Iran for influence in, and control of, West Asia.”

Remind the Iranians of terrorist attacks from Pakistan for e.g. a terrorist attack before Pulwama resulted in the death of 29 Iranian revolutionary guards.

It should be made mandatory for all prime and foreign ministers to read Thoughts on Pakistan and Anatomy of a Flawed Inheritance by former foreign secretary J N Dixit. Written in 1941, Dr B R Ambedkar's understanding of the Muslim mind is outstanding.

The jingoism, boastful threats etc. towards Pakistan need to stop. Indians should benchmark with the best in the world.

Do not get taken in by paper agreements with China and Pakistan.

India must focus on building Economic + Military Power and BRANDS.

Forget Akhand Bharat, it is a very bad idea.

Let the world know about the influence of Ayurveda on Chinese medicine.

India must see its relations with China through the prism of Pakistan.

India must urge the Dalai Lama to declare his successor urgently to prevent China from putting their own man on that position.

The next time China offers to play a constructive role in improving relations between India and Pakistan, India must offer to help China in resolving its disputes with Japan, Vietnam, Taiwan and Philippines amongst others.

India needs to get production of Tejas/Fighters off the ground. Operation Sindoor has reiterated the importance of air defence.

Indians must accept that in war loss of equipment and people is inevitable. Tendulkar never scored a six off every ball.

India needs to increase its defence spending in absolute terms and as a % of GDP.

Ishwar Shakti De to the families of those who lost family and friends before and during Operation Sindoor.

The Congress has realised that India has changed since 2013-14. The question is have China and its friend realized this? 

Also read

1. Focus on Building National Power BHARAT, Pakistan is a distraction

2. Decoding suspension of the Indus Water Treaty

3. How India can build Comprehensive National Power

4. All you wanted to know about Jammu and Kashmir Accession to India

5. List of Terrorist Attacks in India

6. Did Muslims actually rule India for 800 years  

7. Did Godhra save Pakistan

8. Why Akhand Bharat is a BAD Idea

9. Why has Democracy Failed in Pakistan

10. How Democracy evolved in India

11. How many Indians died in the Kashmiri Terrorist Movement

12. How many Indians died in the Khalistan Movement