Operation Sindoor and Shangri-La Dialogue 2025: A Strategic Recalibration for India’s Defense Doctrine
June 3, 2025 | New Delhi — Operation Sindoor, launched on May 7, 2025, following a terror attack in Pahalgam on April 22, has emerged as a pivotal moment in India’s military and geopolitical strategy. The operation’s outcomes, discussed by Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore (May 30–June 1, 2025), reveal a deliberate shift in India’s defense doctrine—emphasizing self-reliance, narrative control, and strategic messaging to both adversaries and allies. This analysis explores the operation’s tactical execution, its implications for India’s defense partnerships, and the broader geopolitical signals it sends.
Tactical Execution and Technological Prowess
Operation Sindoor was a multi-layered retaliatory strike against Pakistan, targeting 11 of 12 key Pakistani Air Force bases on May 9–10, 2025, in response to a Pakistan-backed terror attack that killed 26 people in Anantnag, Jammu & Kashmir. The Indian Air Force (IAF) employed a combination of indigenous and Indo-Russian systems, most notably the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile, alongside Akashteer, Rudram, and S-400 systems, supported by India’s NAVIC navigation system for precision strikes. These strikes penetrated 300 km into Pakistani territory, hitting terror strongholds like Bahawalpur and Muridke, and effectively neutralized Pakistan’s air defense capabilities, including the Chinese-supplied HQ-9 system.
The operation’s success in bypassing advanced air defenses underscores India’s growing technological capabilities. The BrahMos missile, with its meter-level accuracy, crippled critical Pakistani infrastructure, demonstrating the IAF’s ability to conduct deep-penetration strikes without crossing nuclear thresholds—a critical consideration given the region’s volatility. The use of NAVIC, India’s indigenous navigation system, further highlights a strategic pivot toward self-reliance, reducing dependence on foreign GPS systems like the American GPS or European Galileo, which could be compromised during conflicts.
However, the operation was not without challenges. General Chauhan acknowledged initial losses, likely referring to downed jets or failed sorties on the first day of the operation. This admission, far from a sign of weakness, reflects a professional military’s willingness to learn and adapt in real time. The IAF’s rapid recalibration—switching to BrahMos-equipped Su-30MKIs and Jaguar aircraft—neutralized Pakistani anti-access/area-denial (A2/AD) zones, showcasing operational resilience. Historically, asset losses have not dictated mission outcomes, as seen in the 1971 Indo-Pak War, where India lost over 50 aircraft but achieved strategic victory, or Operation Desert Storm (1991), where U.S. losses did not impede the liberation of Kuwait. In Sindoor, India’s focus on mission success over asset preservation aligns with this broader military principle.
Geopolitical Messaging: A Jab at Adversaries and Partners
General Chauhan’s address at the Shangri-La Dialogue, a premier defense summit hosted by the International Institute for Strategic Studies, was a calculated move to project India’s strategic evolution. By admitting early setbacks while emphasizing the operation’s ultimate success, India positioned itself as a professional and accountable military power—attributes that resonate with global audiences. The operation’s outcomes sent a dual message to regional adversaries and defense partners.
For Pakistan and China, Operation Sindoor exposed the limitations of their defense systems. The failure of the HQ-9 system, a Chinese analog to the Russian S-300, to counter India’s strikes raises questions about the reliability of Chinese military technology—a point India leveraged to undermine China’s credibility as a defense supplier. The operation also demonstrated India’s ability to neutralize Pakistani A2/AD zones, signaling that neither Pakistan’s air defenses nor China’s technological support can guarantee security against a determined Indian offensive. This is particularly significant given China’s role in supplying Pakistan with systems like the JF-17 fighter jet, which also failed to counter India’s strikes.
The operation’s implications extend to India’s defense partnerships, particularly with France. On May 7, 2025, reports emerged that France had refused to share the source code for Rafale fighter jets, limiting India’s ability to integrate indigenous weapons like the Rudram missile. This decision, attributed to intellectual property concerns by Dassault Aviation, clashed with India’s Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative, which prioritizes self-reliance in defense manufacturing. Operation Sindoor’s reliance on Indo-Russian systems like the BrahMos and Su-30MKIs was a pointed response, showcasing India’s ability to achieve strategic objectives without French support. This move likely sent jitters through the French defense industry, as India’s account of the operation could influence future Rafale deals globally. India, as one of the world’s largest arms importers, holds significant leverage in shaping the global defense market narrative—a leverage General Chauhan subtly wielded at Shangri-La.
Narrative Warfare and Doctrinal Evolution
A notable aspect of Operation Sindoor was India’s focus on narrative control, with 15% of the IAF’s efforts dedicated to countering disinformation. Pakistan, supported by Chinese media, attempted to amplify claims of Indian losses, but India’s proactive information strategy—backed by satellite imagery and ground reports—ensured global media and Pakistani officials acknowledged the operation’s devastating impact. This emphasis on narrative warfare reflects a broader doctrinal shift, recognizing that modern conflicts are fought as much in the information domain as on the battlefield.
Operation Sindoor also marks a doctrinal evolution in India’s approach to counter-terrorism and deterrence. The operation’s deep-penetration strikes, reaching 300 km into Pakistan, establish a new threshold for India’s response to terrorism, signaling that terrorist safe havens will be targeted regardless of their proximity to the border. This aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s declaration on May 7, 2025, that India will pursue terrorists and their backers wherever they hide. Furthermore, the operation’s success with indigenous systems reinforces India’s push for self-reliance, pressuring foreign vendors to align with India’s strategic priorities or risk being sidelined.
Broader Implications for Indo-Pacific Security
The Shangri-La Dialogue, attended by defense leaders from 40 nations, provided a global stage for India to articulate its strategic posture. Operation Sindoor’s outcomes resonate in the Indo-Pacific, where India is increasingly seen as a counterweight to China. By exposing the limitations of Chinese defense systems, India bolsters its credibility as a security partner for nations wary of China’s influence, such as those in Southeast Asia and the Quad (comprising the U.S., Japan, and Australia). The operation also strengthens India’s case for deeper defense cooperation with Russia, whose systems proved effective in a real-world conflict scenario, potentially influencing India’s future procurement decisions.
For France, the operation’s fallout could strain bilateral ties. The Rafale source code controversy, combined with India’s demonstrated ability to pivot to alternative systems, may force France to reassess its approach to technology sharing. As India continues to prioritize indigenous defense development, foreign vendors will need to navigate a delicate balance between protecting intellectual property and meeting India’s demands for strategic autonomy.
Conclusion: A Defining Moment for India’s Strategic Trajectory
Operation Sindoor and General Chauhan’s Shangri-La address mark a defining moment for India’s defense strategy. The operation’s tactical success, despite early setbacks, underscores the IAF’s adaptability and India’s technological progress. Geopolitically, it positions India as a formidable player capable of challenging adversaries and influencing global defense markets. The emphasis on narrative control and self-reliance signals a maturing military power, one that is not only reactive but also proactive in shaping the strategic environment.
As India navigates an increasingly complex security landscape, Operation Sindoor offers a blueprint for future engagements: a blend of precision strikes, indigenous technology, and narrative dominance. For regional adversaries, the message is clear—India’s reach and resilience are growing. For global partners, the operation is a reminder that India’s strategic autonomy is non-negotiable, and alignment with its vision of self-reliance is the path to sustained cooperation.
