Editorial
In the aftermath of a swift and humbling four-day military defeat by Pakistan, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced Operation Sindoor as the latest expression of India’s counterterrorism strategy. Framing it alongside past “surgical strikes” and “air strikes,” Modi declared this the “new normal” in India’s strategic doctrine. Yet the ground realities, and the consequences of this miscalculation, tell a different story.
This so-called “new normal” was meant to signal strength to domestic audiences and critics, but in truth, Pakistan redefined the rules of engagement. Modi had already violated the Indus Waters Treaty and blamed Pakistan for the April 22 Pahalgam incident without any investigation, triggering a war that India decisively lost. Rather than setting a precedent, India exposed its vulnerabilities and misjudgments.
The term “new normal” historically signifies systemic transformation—be it economic shifts post-2008, or structural changes during the Covid-19 era. But under Modi, it has been weaponised to legitimise reckless aggression, electoral nationalism, and dangerous escalation. His policy suggests preemptive strikes based on unproven allegations, disregarding international norms, and ignoring the real possibility of catastrophic retaliation.
Pakistan’s decisive military response shattered the myth of Indian supremacy. It established strategic parity—perhaps even dominance—backed by a stronger alliance with China. New realities include perpetual high-alert defense, the erosion of civilian immunity, and the dominance of hybrid warfare.
Most ominously, the risk of nuclear war in South Asia is no longer hypothetical. Global powers have begun acknowledging the stakes. Meanwhile, the unresolved Kashmir issue remains central, blocking any hope for long-term peace.
India’s aggressive posture, marred by propaganda and flawed doctrines like Cold Start, now stands discredited. The world has seen that Pakistan can not only defend itself but shape the region’s strategic narrative. The real “new normal” is one India never intended.
