Indian Prime Minister Modi’s Strategy in Operation Sindoor Criticized for Missteps
Senior Indian journalist and founding editor of The Wire, Siddharth Varadarajan, has criticized Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s strategy during Operation Sindoor, asserting that it was based on incorrect assumptions that led to unintended consequences. Varadarajan’s critical analysis, shared on X (formerly Twitter), suggests that the Modi government’s actions have brought the Kashmir issue back into international focus.
Re-Internationalization of Kashmir
Varadarajan explained that the Modi government’s actions have re-internationalized the Kashmir issue, despite India’s attempts to frame the situation differently. He remarked, “The reality is that Modi did something that has produced an unsavoury but quite predictable end result.” According to him, India’s actions during the operation have inadvertently forced the international community to pay renewed attention to the long-standing Kashmir dispute.
Read More: Operation Sindoor escalates, Indian minister signals stronger response.
Acknowledging Losses: A Political Compulsion
One of the most significant points Varadarajan raised was the Indian Air Force’s refusal to acknowledge military losses during Operation Sindoor. He noted that the IAF’s statement of “all our pilots are back home” does not equate to “all our planes are back home.” Varadarajan emphasized that India’s reluctance to provide specifics on aircraft losses lends credence to Pakistan’s claims of having shot down multiple Indian aircraft.
The refusal to acknowledge these losses is a result of the Modi government’s political compulsions, Varadarajan argued. Admitting military losses could alter public perceptions and affect the overall political narrative of the operation, which the government is keen to maintain.
The Kashmir Issue: A Global Concern
Varadarajan pointed out that Pakistan now sees the Kashmir issue as an international problem once again, with even the United States acknowledging this viewpoint. The conflict is deeply rooted in unresolved United Nations resolutions from 1948, which called for a plebiscite to determine whether the people of Jammu and Kashmir should join Pakistan or India. However, this vote has never occurred, and both countries continue to control separate parts of the region, each claiming full sovereignty.
Modi’s Miscalculations and Military Strategy
Varadarajan also criticized Modi’s military strategy, which he believed was motivated by political calculations rather than practical military solutions. He noted that Modi’s right-wing supporters have voiced discontent, with some arguing that the prime minister lacked the resolve to take a decisive military action against Pakistan. However, Varadarajan claimed that Modi knew all along that there was no military solution to the Kashmir issue. His reckless decisions, particularly pursuing a “Balakot x9” approach, were based on the assumption that the consequences would be manageable, which he argued turned out to be false.
A Rigid Stance and Its Consequences
Varadarajan contrasted Modi’s approach with standard international diplomacy, which typically employs a combination of diplomatic, economic, and military tools to handle adversaries. He claimed that India’s rigid stance, fueled by a series of incorrect assumptions, failed to consider the broader implications of escalating the crisis.
Despite the Indian government’s efforts, Varadarajan concluded that the overall outcome of Operation Sindoor might not deter Pakistan, as the situation remains unresolved and tensions continue to simmer.
