| UPSC Relevance-Prelims ,Kargil Review Committee,Cold Start Doctrine,Operation Sindoor,Defence Intelligence Agency,NTRO vs RAW vs IB Mains GS Paper II/III Linkages GS II: International Relations – India-Pakistan, Cross-border terrorismGS III: Internal Security – Modernisation of Armed Forces, Terrorism and Counter-measures |
Why in News?
India marked the 26th anniversary of the Kargil War (1999) amid recent security developments in Kashmir. In April 2025, a terrorist attack in Pahalgam claimed 26 civilian lives. India responded with Operation Sindoor, launching a precise strike deep inside Pakistan.
Together, these incidents reflect the transformation in India’s military and counter-terrorism strategy—from a defensive stance in 1999 to a more assertive and proactive approach today.
Background: Lessons from the Kargil War & India-Pakistan Conflicts
The Kargil War (May–July 1999) was India’s first conflict with Pakistan in the post-nuclear era, following Pokhran-II nuclear tests in 1998. It highlighted serious shortcomings in India’s intelligence, surveillance, and operational preparedness, especially in high-altitude warfare.
Despite Prime Minister Vajpayee’s peace initiative to Lahore in February 1999, Pakistan’s betrayal through the Kargil intrusion exposed the limits of diplomacy without credible deterrence.
Major India-Pakistan Wars: A Brief Timeline
- First Kashmir War (1947–48)
○ Triggered by Pakistan-backed tribal invasion of Jammu & Kashmir.
○ Ended with a UN-mediated ceasefire; creation of the Line of Control (LoC). - Second War (1965)
○ Pakistan launched Operation Gibraltar to infiltrate Kashmir.
○ Resulted in heavy casualties and a return to status quo after the Tashkent Agreement. - Third War (1971)
○ India intervened in East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) amid a humanitarian crisis.
○ Led to Pakistan’s defeat and the creation of Bangladesh; Simla Agreement followed. - Kargil War (1999)
○ Pakistani intruders occupied Indian posts in Kargil sector.
○ India recaptured territory through Operation Vijay despite the nuclear backdrop.
What Kargil Taught India
● Even with nuclear weapons, limited wars can still happen.
● India needed better real-time intelligence and high-altitude warfare training.
● Highlighted the need for coordination between Army, Navy, and Air Force.
● Led to key military reforms like creating the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) and improving joint operations.
Post-Kargil Security Architecture Reforms
In the aftermath of the Kargil War, India undertook major reforms to strengthen its national security framework and military preparedness. These reforms can be grouped into three key areas:
1️⃣ Institutional Changes
To improve coordination, intelligence, and policy-making, several new bodies and positions were established:
● Kargil Review Committee – Set up to analyze lapses during the war.
● Defence Intelligence Agency (2002) – Centralized military intelligence across services.
● National Technical Research Organisation (NTRO) (2004) – A technical intelligence agency for cyber and satellite surveillance.
● Revamp of NSCS & Joint Intelligence Committee – Strengthened inter-agency coordination.
● National Security Advisor (NSA) – Made a permanent advisor to the PM on strategic and security issues.
2️⃣ Military Modernisation
India shifted focus from conventional defense to swift and integrated responses, especially under the nuclear overhang:
● Development of the Cold Start Doctrine for rapid, limited offensive operations.
● Creation of Mountain Strike Corps for high-altitude warfare readiness.
● Push for Integrated Theatre Commands for better tri-services synergy.
● Appointment of the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) in 2019 to ensure jointness in planning and operations.
3️⃣ Make in India in Defence
India emphasized indigenous defence production to reduce dependence on imports and enhance strategic autonomy:
● Indigenous development of:
○ BrahMos supersonic missiles
○ Pinaka multi-barrel rocket launchers
○ Tejas light combat aircraft
● Procurement of modern systems:
○ Rafale fighter jets
○ Apache attack helicopters
○ S-400 missile defence systems
These reforms reflect a strategic shift toward a self-reliant, intelligence-driven, and technologically advanced security architecture.
Shift in Counter-Terror Strategy
India’s approach to terrorism has undergone a significant transformation, especially after 2016—moving from restraint to retaliation.
Pre-2016: Reactive and Restrained Approach
Despite several high-profile terror attacks, India mostly avoided direct military retaliation:
- 1999 – IC-814 Hijacking: Terrorists were released in exchange for hostages.
- 2001 – Parliament Attack: No military response despite clear Pakistan links.
- 2008 – 26/11 Mumbai Attacks: Diplomatic isolation of Pakistan, but no direct strike.
Post-2016: Assertive and Proactive Response
India adopted a “zero tolerance to terror” doctrine, using military force to impose costs on Pakistan:
- 2016 – Uri Attack → India carried out Surgical Strikes across LoC on terror launchpads.
- 2019 – Pulwama Attack → Led to Balakot Airstrikes deep inside Pakistan.
- 2025 – Pahalgam Attack → India launched Operation Sindoor.
Operation Sindoor: India’s New Security Posture
Operation Sindoor marked a major shift by using conventional force in response to a terror attack, not just covert strikes.
- Destroyed 9 terror camps and 11 Pakistani military airfields, including Nur Khan airbase (linked to nuclear assets).
- Used BrahMos missiles and precision airpower for deep, coordinated strikes.
- The 96-hour operation forced Pakistan to call for a ceasefire, showing India’s enhanced deterrence.
India now sends a clear policy signal—any act of terror will invite a strong and visible military response.
Operation Sindoor: India’s New Security Posture
Operation Sindoor marked a turning point in India’s counter-terror doctrine. For the first time, India launched a large-scale conventional military response to a terrorist attack, signalling a bold shift in strategic thinking.
Key Highlights of Operation Sindoor
- Targeted 9 terror camps and 11 Pakistani airbases, including Nur Khan, suspected of hosting nuclear assets.
- Utilised BrahMos missiles and precision airstrikes for deep strikes across Pakistan.
- Conducted as a 96-hour swift operation, forcing Pakistan to seek a ceasefire—a clear show of military superiority and control.
Global Comparison: India vs. Mexico’s Counter-Threat Models
India’s cross-border terror challenge parallels Mexico’s war against internal drug cartels, both being asymmetric threats. However, the outcomes differ due to strategy:
- Mexico: Launched full-scale military offensives (e.g., 2006 Calderón offensive) but struggled due to lack of coordination, strategy, and sustainability.
- India: Blends military precision with diplomatic messaging, ensuring limited, time-bound operations that avoid full-scale war or global backlash.
🇮🇳 How Operation Sindoor Benefits India
- Strategic Deterrence: Sends a strong signal—terrorism will be met with heavy costs.
- Operational Readiness: Showcases India’s ability to mobilize quickly and strike deep with accuracy.
- Global Credibility: Enhances India’s image as a responsible but resolute power.
- Military Modernisation: Strengthens indigenous capabilities under Atmanirbhar Bharat—from BrahMos to space-based surveillance.
- Public Confidence: Reinforces trust in political leadership and military preparedness, crucial in times of national crisis.
Operation Sindoor is not just a military operation—it is a strategic message, a diplomatic signal, and a defence milestone in India’s evolving security doctrine.
Way Forward: Strengthening India’s Security Architecture
To sustain and build upon recent strategic gains, India must focus on long-term reforms and future-ready capabilities:
1. Sustain Intelligence Reforms
- Improve coordination between Human Intelligence (HUMINT) and Technical Intelligence (TECHINT).
- Expand AI-based threat detection, satellite monitoring, and data integration across agencies.
2. Enhance Cyber Warfare Capacity
- Invest in AI-driven cybersecurity, digital surveillance, and space-based intelligence.
- Develop cyber deterrence capabilities to neutralize state and non-state actors.
3. Strengthen Joint Military Commands
- Fast-track the implementation of Integrated Theatre Commands for seamless tri-service operations.
- Promote inter-service training and war-gaming exercises for better combat readiness.
4. Leverage Diplomatic Channels
- Mobilize global opinion to isolate state sponsors of terror (e.g., through FATF, UNSC).
- Forge stronger intelligence-sharing partnerships with key allies.
5. Counter Emerging Threats
- Develop anti-drone systems, especially along sensitive borders.
- Invest in hypersonic missile defence technology to counter regional advancements.
Conclusion: A Shift Towards Assertive Deterrence
India’s security strategy has evolved from reactive restraint post-Kargil to a more assertive and pre-emptive approach post-Pahalgam. Reforms like the CDS post, better intelligence, and growing indigenous defence capabilities mark this transition.
To counter evolving threats—terrorism, cyber warfare, and proxy conflicts—India must stay strategically agile, technologically advanced, and diplomatically proactive, reinforcing its role as a regional security power.
PRELIMS PRACTICE QSN-
Question:
Consider the following statements about the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG):
a. It was established as a reaction to India’s first nuclear test of 1974
b. It seeks to prevent nuclear proliferation by controlling the export of material, equipment and technology that can be used to manufacture nuclear weapons.
c. At present, there are only 30 members.
d. India tried to become its member in June 2016 in a Plenary meeting at Beijing.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
- a, b, c & d
- both b & c
- both a & b
- both c & d
ANS- 3 Both a and b
Mains Practice Question (GS-III)
Q. “From Kargil to Pahalgam, India’s military doctrine has shifted from defensive deterrence to proactive engagement.” Discuss this evolution with relevant examples.(250 WORDS)
SOURCE- THE HINDU
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Kargil was a wake-up call; Pahalgam is a warning bell. India’s security strategy must remain dynamic and future-ready.This evolution offers critical insights into national security doctrine, institutional reforms, and strategic preparedness .comment