Why is Operation Sindoor unique? CDS Gen Anil Chauhan explains

Chief of Defence Staff Gen Anil Chauhan warned that a possible convergence of interest among China, Pakistan, and Bangladesh may result in serious implications for India's stability and security dynamics, even as he explained what made Operation Sindoor special. 

 

Speaking at the launch of the Foreign Policy Survey 2024 hosted by Delhi-based think tank Observer Research Foundation (ORF), he delved into the recent military conflict between India and Pakistan, saying it was perhaps for the first time that two nuclear weapon states were directly engaged in hostilities.

 

He explained why Operation Sindoor was unique.  Pointing out that there have been hundreds of conflicts around the world ever since nuclear weapons were invented, he said this was the first time that two nuclear weapon states were directly engaged in a conflict.

 

"So Operation Sindoor, in that manner, is slightly unique in itself, and it may hold lessons not only for the subcontinent, but for the entire world."

 

While talking about various aspects of Operation Sindoor, the CDS said "expansion of space" in conventional operations is possible by taking it to newer domains of warfare like cyber and electromagnetic spheres.

 

He observed that there was a lot of space for conventional operations and cited a few fundamental reasons to back his argument.

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"First is India's nuclear doctrine, that there's no first use. I think that gives us strength and that contributes to creating this particular space between us and Pakistan," he said.

 

"Second is the way they responded actually. When India went to respond, we destroyed terrorist camps in response to the terror attack as part of a prevention strategy. You may call it revenge, you may call it retribution, but that ought to prevent further attacks." 

 

The said there is still space for expanding conventional operations.

 

On China-Pakistan ties

 

He noted that  Chinese military firms have commercial liabilities in Pakistan, as Islamabad has acquired almost 70 to 80 per cent of its weapons and equipment from China in the last five years. "In the past five years, Pakistan has acquired almost 70 to 80 per cent of its weapons and equipment from China. That's a fact. A reasonable assumption would be that Chinese OEMs (original equipment makers) will have commercial liabilities which they have to fulfil and will have people in Pakistan."

 

"There is a possible convergence of interest we can talk about between China, Pakistan, and Bangladesh that may have implications for India's stability and security dynamics," Gen Chauhan said.

 

He noted that there were no unusual activities by the Chinese side along the northern border when India and Pakistan were engaged in the four-day conflict.

 

"Maybe this is a short conflict. That's an assumption I can make. But it is a fact that there was no activity along the northern border (by the Chinese military)," he said.

Defence