14 May 2025 : Indian Express Editorial Analysis

1. Op Sindoor Red Lines

(Source: Page 10, The Indian Express)

Topic: GS2: International Relations, GS3: Internal Security

Context

The editorial analyzes India’s military response under Operation Sindoor after the Pahalgam terror attack, positioning it as a decisive and new security doctrine shaped by red lines and calibrated retaliation.

Background

• The editorial analyzes India’s military response under Operation Sindoor after the Pahalgam terror attack, positioning it as a decisive and new security doctrine shaped by red lines and calibrated retaliation.

Key Shifts in India’s Security Posture

• India’s response was immediate, targeted, and proportionate — a clear departure from delayed or restrained retaliations of the past.

• Use of drones, precision missiles, and long-range warfare tech signals enhanced capabilities.

Strategic Signaling

• India established new “red lines” regarding its tolerance for terror emanating from Pakistan.

• PM Modi’s statement emphasized national unity, civilian security, and strategic ambiguity.

Global and Domestic Dimensions

• India’s global messaging was restrained, emphasizing the defensive and limited nature of the action.

• Domestically, it was projected as an assertion of national resolve without warmongering.

Way Forward

• Institutionalize these strategic responses into formal doctrine.

• Build international consensus to isolate state sponsors of terror.

• Continue improving drone, surveillance, and cyber deterrence capabilities.

Practice Question: Operation Sindoor marks a shift in India’s counter-terrorism posture. Discuss its implications for regional security and India’s long-term strategic doctrine. (GS3 – 15 Marks – 250 Words)

2. A New Old Conflict

(Source: Page 10, The Indian Express)

Topic: GS2: India and Its Neighbourhood, GS1: Post-Independence History

Context

The editorial by Ashutosh Varshney assesses the enduring nature of India-Pakistan conflict, arguing that while Operation Sindoor introduced a new military response, the political and ideological roots of the hostility remain embedded in history.

Background

• Despite periodic ceasefires or backchannel diplomacy, the India-Pakistan conflict persists. The editorial notes how Operation Sindoor represented a tactical break from the past, but the underlying causes—identity politics, historical grievance, and institutional hostility—remain.

Historical Continuity of Conflict

• Pakistan’s ideological shift since the Zia-ul-Haq era institutionalized hostility against India.

• Anti-India rhetoric became part of state identity and military doctrine.

Nature of the “New Normal”

• India’s strategic shift via Operation Sindoor is significant, but risks becoming reactive without political engagement.

• Long-term peace remains elusive due to entrenched narratives in both countries.

Lack of Political Solutions

• No serious India-Pakistan dialogue framework is currently functional.

• Bilateral ties oscillate between periods of silence and high-tension military actions.

Way Forward

• Rebuild diplomatic channels focused on incremental trust-building.

• Address historical grievances through cultural and educational engagement.

• Delink political disagreements from cross-border violence management.

Practice Question: In the context of India’s recent military response to terrorism, discuss the role of “measured retaliation” as a strategic doctrine. How can India balance deterrence with global responsibility? (GS2/GS3 – 15 Marks – 250 Words)

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