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Intensive Mains Program for IAS 2026
31st July 2025 (13 Topics)

Operation Sindoor

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Context:

The recent parliamentary debate on Operation Sindoor, India’s retaliatory strike post the Pahalgam terror attack, reignited discussions on transparency, accountability, and strategic maturity in national security decision-making.

Strategic Posturing and Democratic Vibrancy

  • Tactical Clarity Amid Crisis:Operation Sindoor was a response marked by extraordinary coordination, targeting over 100 terror-linked assets. It reflected India's growing ability to calibrate tactical retaliation with strategic restraint.
  • Democratic Oversight as Strength:The post-strike debate in Parliament exemplified democratic resilience, where probing questions about intelligence failure, command chain, and engagement rules were raised openly.
  • Rejecting the Culture of Secrecy:Unlike authoritarian models, India’s democracy chose scrutiny over silence. The parliamentary discourse reaffirmed the republic’s right to question statecraft in the public domain.

Political Responses and Leadership Dynamics

  • Prime Minister’s Assertive Posture:Despite criticisms of silence, the Prime Minister emphasized “armed forces acted with professionalism and statesmanship,” affirming executive restraint under pressure.
  • Opposition’s Democratic Role:The Opposition demanded accountability, transparency, and clarity on command decisions, challenging the government without undermining national security.
  • Institutional Resilience Over Populism:By embracing inquiry instead of deflecting it, the Indian political class resisted hyper-nationalist narratives and preserved democratic norms during national security discussions.

Global Context and Future Implications

  • Strategic Signaling to Adversaries:India’s measured response communicated that retaliation would be rule-based and deliberate, targeting terror infrastructure while avoiding civilian escalation.
  • Redefining National Security Doctrine:The shift away from confessional, secrecy-driven doctrines toward public engagement reflects India’s evolution as a confident strategic actor.
  • Democracy in the Age of Disinformation:At a time when social media polarizes and amplifies state narratives, India’s ability to conduct open parliamentary debate sets it apart from authoritarian responses globally.

Practice Question:

In the context of India's response to cross-border terrorism, critically examine the role of parliamentary scrutiny in shaping a democratic national security doctrine. How does this balance strategic secrecy with accountability?(250 words)

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