‘Sindoor marked a new normal’

As India marks one year of Operation Sindoor, its strategic, operational, and psychological impact continues to shape the country’s security doctrine.

- Parwinder Sandhu

In an exclusive conversation with Parwinder Sandhu, Air Marshal Awadhesh Kumar Bharti, SYSM, AVSM, VM, Deputy Chief of Air Staff and former Director General of Air Operations, explains how the mission redefined deterrence and reinforced jointness.

Q: As India marks one year of Operation Sindoor, how do you assess its long-term strategic impact on India’s security calculus?

A: Operation Sindoor has given the country a new normal. It is no longer acceptable for anyone to harbour or support terrorism and expect no consequences. Any such act will invite a response, and the perpetrators will have to pay for it. Another important aspect that has come to the fore is the relevance of air power. When I say air power, I mean the entire domain, not just the Air Force. Its importance has been reaffirmed because of its ability to react the fastest, reach the furthest, and deliver significant ordnance.

This also brings us back to the basics of warfighting, which we sometimes forget. The first principle is the selection and maintenance of aim. Once that is clear, victory follows through offensive action. In many contemporary conflicts, we see shifting goalposts, which leads to adverse outcomes. Nations forced into conflict must also have a clear conflict termination strategy, something often missing today. Otherwise, it is like starting a fire without knowing how to control it. Continuous assessment during operations is also critical because things rarely unfold exactly as planned. Re-assessing on the fly is essential. That, in essence, is the impact of Operation Sindoor.

Q: You spoke about exit strategy being important during conflicts. What was India’s exit strategy during Operation Sindoor?