May 07, 2026 16:50 pm IST

Opinion | One Year Of Op Sindoor: Why 'Round 2' Will Be A Different Beast Entirely

Drones, China and Trump. A sequel to Operation Sindoor is not just likely, but it will also be highly challenging.

Tara Kartha Tara Kartha Columnist

Tara Kartha Columnist

A unique military operation in global military history marks its first anniversary. 'Operation Sindoor' followed fundamental military doctrines astutely, in keeping objectives steady, clear and based on the reality of a nuclear environment. While these principles still apply, warfare and international relations have changed beyond recognition in the last year. Another Operation Sindoor, though highly likely, would have to be framed and executed in quite a different milieu, since both sides have built upon their experiences to hone their own capabilities and doctrines. The key for the next round may be flexibility, and learning some very hard lessons on what the world is like now.

The Uniqueness of Sindoor

Sindoor will remain unique in the annals of warfare for three reasons. 

First, it was just 88-hours long and ended at a time of our choosing. Consider Ukraine, Iran and other wars. 

Second, it hit pause at each stage, allowing Pakistan to step back if it chose to, thus knitting diplomacy firmly into operations. 

Third, the political leadership held tightly on to the reins, allowing the operation to expand judiciously and calling a stop when it was judged that enough punishment had been delivered. Clarity of purpose was, therefore, across the board, which was to show Pakistan that India would no longer be blackmailed by nuclear threats into 'restraint', even while exercising operational restraint throughout the operation, so as to remain under the nuclear threshold. 

That last point was vital. The lessons of the Balakot strike, for instance, which led to the capture of Wg Cdr Abhinandan Varthaman, were learned well. There was to be no crossing of the border. Complete air superiority meant that neither would Pakistan break this rule. It stopped in time, too. That's interesting and needs further study.........

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