India has clarified that Operation Sindoor, its most assertive military response to cross-border terrorism in recent years, is not over but only on pause. This explanation comes amid heightened tensions with Pakistan and a strong projection of Indian naval power in the Arabian Sea.
What began as a tri-service retaliation following a terror attack in Pahalgam has evolved into a defining moment in India’s strategic doctrine. While air and ground strikes received public attention, it was the Indian Navy’s silent but potent presence that altered the regional maritime equation.
Over the past week, India’s Carrier Battle Group, led by INS Vikrant, played a crucial deterrent role, keeping the Pakistani Navy confined to its harbours.
It has been reported in BharatRakshak quoting senior defence officials, naval forces conducted missile and torpedo drills off both the eastern and western coasts, signalling preparedness for full-spectrum conflict.
“Just a Pause”
India’s Defence Minister Rajnath Singh confirmed while addressing officers & sailors onboard India’s first indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant that the operation is only paused.
“Operation Sindoor is not yet over. It’s just a pause, a warning. If Pakistan makes the same mistake again, India’s answer will be even harsher,” he said, making it clear that future military action remains firmly on the table.
His remarks reflect a broader shift in India’s approach—from reactive to pre-emptive—where counter-terrorism is integrated across land, air, and sea. The Minister added that India would not hesitate to take action against terrorist elements “on either side of the border or at sea.”
A Message to Pakistan: No Talks Without Accountability
The Indian leadership has been unified in its message to Islamabad: there can be no dialogue without concrete action against terror groups. Singh stated that if Pakistan is serious about talks, it must begin by handing over Hafiz Saeed and Masood Azhar—figures long wanted by Indian authorities and designated as terrorists by the United Nations.
“Terror and talks cannot go together, and Pakistan must uproot the nursery of terrorism on its own soil,” he said, directly addressing Islamabad’s recent call for diplomatic engagement.
This view was echoed by the Ministry of External Affairs, which reiterated that any India-Pakistan dialogue must be bilateral and focused on terror and the return of Pakistan-occupied Indian territories. “Terror and trade cannot go together, and water and blood cannot flow together,” said MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, reaffirming India’s decision to keep the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance until Pakistan “credibly and irrevocably” ends support for cross-border terrorism.
Naval Force as Strategic Signal
Beyond conventional deterrence, Operation Sindoor has underscored the Indian Navy’s evolving role as a strategic force capable of shaping outcomes beyond national waters. Within 96 hours of the Pahalgam attack, Indian warships were at sea, conducting integrated missile drills and demonstrating maritime domain dominance.
“Our Western Fleet ships deployed within days, conducting missile firings that reflected our combat readiness and intent,” Singh said, adding that the Navy’s positioning neutralized any movement from the Pakistani side.
The symbolism of the Navy’s newest pride—the indigenously built INS Vikrant—was not lost. Its deployment in Operation Sindoor echoed its historical predecessor’s role during Goa’s liberation in 1961, reinforcing the continuity of India’s maritime resolve.
Beyond Bullets
India’s message is clear: terrorism will no longer be treated as a law-and-order issue but a national security threat deserving military response.
Singh concluded his visit by stressing that future conflicts would be fought across multiple domains—land, sea, air, cyber, and data.
“Today, the Navy is not just a sentinel of the Indian Ocean—it is a symbol of India’s emergence as a global power,” he said, praising the force for its rapid readiness, integrated capabilities, and strategic projection.
