Communication clears cobwebs. For all its good work, the current dispensation suffered from a serious setback regarding timely communication. Learning from the past, perhaps, after the launch of Operation Sindoor, the government held timely press briefings to dispel the false narratives.

Factoring in political parties' vexatious demand for evidence and catering to Indians and global players, the briefings were unveiled, comprising the foreign secretary and representatives of the armed forces. This reinforced India’s credentials as a vibrant democracy- a civilian government at the helm in tandem with a robust military is committed to safeguarding the sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The PIB worked overtime to flag fake news at regular intervals.  However, the news of the ‘stoppage of firing’ between India and Pakistan by President Trump caused a pang of disappointment in Indians. The news quickly bred interpretations of New Delhi buckling under American pressure for a trade deal. Amid wild speculations, Pakistan’s relentless drone attacks on civilian areas have heightened the anxieties of New Delhi losing the upper hand. Though the Indian government, within a couple of hours, declared giving armed forces free rein to retaliate, people were left in the lurch.

Indeed, India rejected Trump’s claims of negotiating (helping) India and Pakistan in brokering a truce by offering trade incentives. On the contrary, India proposed retaliatory tariffs on American products to counter duties on steel and aluminium. So, the trumped-up accusations of cowering to US pressure for a trade deal are fallacious.

The matrix of conflict has several layers to it; however, the foremost in terms of narrative building is the information warfare. Gauging the public mood, the government unveiled a new format of press briefing by DGMOs of the Indian forces to keep people informed about the Operation Sindoor. Hearing from the horse's mouth made a difference. This authentic information dispelled the myth and the rhetoric peddled by the leftist ecosystem and hypernationalists on social media that raised its ugly head in the aftermath of the de-escalation with Pakistan. Dissonance in the face of a national crisis would be troubling.

Turning around the mood of the nation, PM Modi, in one of the most powerful speeches of his career, delivered a cogent and firm message. Eloquently articulating a defence policy framework, he laid out the Modi Doctrine. Firmly asserting India’s zero-tolerance policy, Operation Sindoor has effectively delivered on its set objectives of striking at the roots of the terror. The retaliatory strikes by Pakistan in response to Indian attacks on terrorist camps have demonstrably established the Pakistan military as the defender of terrorists. It has also busted the myth of terrorists as ‘non-state actors’ of Pakistan, as the entire state machinery was mobilised to launch retaliatory strikes on India.

Since the Uri strikes of 2016, India has steadily stepped up the scale and expanse of the retributive strikes. In fact, the 2019 Pulwama strikes firmed up India’s resolve to abrogate Article 370, paving the way for complete integration of Jammu & Kashmir with the Indian state. With every terror attack, India increased the cost and caution for Pakistan. The targeted killing of Hindu pilgrims at Reasi, coinciding with PM Modi’s third term inauguration, signalled a new shift. This tested attempt unfolded in a barbarous form at Pahalgam, where Hindus were segregated and brutally killed. This incident became the tipping point of India’s threshold. Operation Sindoor, launched to deliver justice for Pahalgam victims, turned out to be suicidal for Pakistan.

Pakistan targeted temples, gurdwaras, schools and civilians. In a glaring act of provocation, Pakistan also targeted Indian military bases. This elicited an aggressive response from India. IAF struck Pakistani airbases, located in the heart of Pakistan severely crippling its air logistics and air defence systems. A rattled Pakistan then turned to the world.

Busting the myth of Pakistan’s nuclear shield, India’s conventional warfare superiority brought Pakistan to its knees. Compelled by the sheer dominance of the Indian military might, Pakistan pleaded for de-escalation. India obliged after Pakistan pledged to refrain from any sort of terror activities or military audacity. However, global spin doctors siding with Pakistan’s misinformation propaganda turned India’s triumph in its counterterrorism campaign into a victory for Pakistan.

Which country on earth, after suffering irreparable damages to its prided air force, could declare a victory? Even Austrian air military historian Tom Cooper’s analysis vindicated Indian claims. He declared, “India’s recent air campaign against Pakistan a clear-cut victory”.

Choosing to remain in the background, PM Modi demonstrated a rare political will to strike at every place from where the roots of terror emerged. Leading the Operation Sindoor from planning to execution, PM Modi set a new benchmark in India’s fight against terrorism. Alongside, he tightened counter-terrorism doctrine by declaring “any future act of terror on Indian soil will be considered as an act of war against the country”.

In his address to the nation, PM Modi eloquently dismantled the false bravado of the Pakistan military and its hyped-up defence capabilities. Hailing India’s demonstrated effectiveness of indigenous defence capabilities, Modi applauded the valour, courage and bravery of Indian tri-service forces. India has set a new normal by raising the bar of retaliatory strikes. Modi pledged that “India will strike precisely and decisively at the terrorist hideouts” and rebuked the “nuclear blackmail” of Pakistan. Stating India will no longer differentiate between the government sponsoring terrorism and the masterminds of terrorism, Modi warned Pakistan of strict action if terrorism emerges from its soil.

In a hard-hitting message to Pakistan, which encourages terrorism, Modi laid down new non-negotiables-“terror and talks cannot go together… terror and trade cannot go together… Water and blood cannot flow together”. Taking off the issue of Jammu &Kashmir from the table, Modi categorically stated, “if there are talks with Pakistan, it will be only on terrorism; and if there are talks with Pakistan, it will be only on Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK)”.

Modi also highlighted the need for unity in the face of Pakistan's insidious attempts to sow disaffection and break the harmony, and elucidated that the path of peace goes through the path of power. To live in peace, India must become powerful and fulfil the dream of Viksit Bharat. He also asserted India’s right to retaliate should Pakistan continue to weaponise cross-border terrorism.

 In war, truth is the first casualty. With his hard-hitting speech, Modi exposed Pakistan’s terror machinery and its umbilical connection with its military to the world. With his timely national address, Modi emphatically demolished the global disinformation and silenced the unhinged, cringeworthy rhetoric of the social media warriors and influencers.

PM Modi also made an unannounced visit to the Adampur airbase to express India’s gratitude to the IAF. Modi addressed the airmen with the MiG-29 fighter and S400 missile defence in the background. The images of Modi that went viral had successfully busted the fake news propaganda of Pakistan, which claimed to have destroyed the S-400 with a Chinese JF-17 hypersonic missile.

Operation Sindoor has positioned India as a fearless, unyielding and assertive nation. India’s military superiority, decisive response are unsettling its adversaries and piquing the anxiety of Western policy makers and analysts.

Reference

1. https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=2128268