Tag: Operation Sindoor

‘Blood & Water Can’t Flow Together, But Dollars Flowing From Cricket Are Ok’

By Lokmarg

Vanshika Sharma, an aspiring journalist in Delhi, says Indian leadership can’t let emotion guide one decision and economics guide another! Her views:

After Operation Sindoor, India’s message to Pakistan was sharp and symbolic —“blood and water cannot flow together.” By stopping the flow of water under the Indus Waters Treaty, the government drew a firm line: no routine exchanges when the blood of our countrymen was being spilled from terrorists across the border.

The symbolism was powerful. Water, the lifeline of agriculture and daily living, became a diplomatic tool. It wasn’t just about dams and canals; it was about telling the world that some boundaries, once crossed, change everything. India will no longer sit as a passive respondent, but it will draw the red line.

And yet, here we are. This week, as I sit at my dining table in East Delhi, my phone pings with another update — India is gearing up to play cricket withPakistan in Asia Cup. Pitches are being rolled in Dubai. Jerseys are being ironed and packed. Floodlights are being tested. The match hype is building.

It makes me wonder: If blood and water cannot flow together, how can blood and cricket money go together?

ALOS READ: ‘Indus Treaty Will Go Op Sindoor Way – In US Mediation’

Growing up, Indo-Pak cricket was a tense festival in my family. My father would shout at the TV as if the players could hear him. My mother would serve endless chai and snacks, pretending not to care but watching every ball out of the corner of her eye. Neighbours would walk in “just to check the score” and end up staying till the last over.

But now, studying journalism, I see the other layer — the money. An India–Pakistan cricket match isn’t just a game; it’s a multi-million dollar event. Ticket sales, sponsorships, ads, broadcasting rights — the financial stakes are massive. Both cricket boards profit. The crowds roar, and the cash registers ring. Blood is inconsequential.

This is where the contradiction stares me in the face. We can freeze something as essential as water — a necessity of life — to send a message. But we are willing to let cricket, a luxury, continue because it is lucrative. Doesn’t that dilute the principle? If the idea behind stopping water was that daily life cannot go on as usual, surely high-voltage cricket matches, which normalize interaction and bring in shared revenue, clash with that logic.

Of course, there’s the counter-argument. Many believe cricket is a bridge, not a breach. It’s a softer form of diplomacy, a way for people-to-people contact to survive even when governments are at odds. Just like cultural exchanges in art or music, cricket might keep a thin thread of connection alive — one that pure politics would sever.

So the question becomes sharper: Should cricketing ties follow the principle of the water treaty, or should the water treaty follow the precedent set by sporting ties?

If we want our symbolic gestures to be consistent, we can’t let emotion guide one decision and economics guide another. Until that consistency comes, every toss of the coin before an Indo-Pak match will carry more than the fate of a game. It will carry the weight of principle — from my father’s living room in East Delhi to the roaring stadium stands.

As told to Deepti Sharma

‘By Raising Questions on Op Sindoor, Oppn is Playing Into the Hands of Pakistan’

By Lokmarg

Vardika Singh, a research scholar in Allahabad University, says the Opposition must behave sensibly and not waste Parliament’s time on non-issues. Her views:

The Union government has categorically stated that Operation Sindoor was concluded based on an internal assessment and intel by the Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) and there was no international mediation on India for agreeing to a ceasefire. However, Opposition parties continue to cast doubt and even raise questions on Indian security establishment in the current Monsoon Session of Parliament. In my opinion, the Opposition is acting naively and not realising that there are some red lines in politics when it comes to country’s safety and security.

I find it shameful that the Opposition has been asking for evidence on incident leading to and halt in the military operation. They are lending credence more to Donald Trump and Pakistan instead of Indian political and defence leadership. They are asking for the details of the planes lost by India and Trump’s claims on ceasefire. What kind of hypocrisy is this where your primary aim appears to be to let your country and your armed forces down in order to score brownie points in Parliament!

I saw Congress Rajya Sabha MP P Chidambaram asking proof of Pahalgam terrorists being from Pakistan. And when Home Minister Amit Shah gave the proof in Parliament, CPM MP John Brittas ridiculed him for giving proof! It appears that the INDI Alliance is trying to defend Pakistan position and acting on behalf of India’s enemies.

I, like every other nation loving Indian, have strong reasons to believe that my country holds the upper hand when it comes to defending our boundaries. India’s strategic autonomy has been consistently proven and India has historically maintained independent strategic decision-making, especially under high stakes military situations.

From surgical strikes in 2016 to Balakot airstrikes in 2019, Indian leadership has shown readiness to act decisively without coming under foreign interference or pressure. If the government and DGMO assert that Operation Sindoor was concluded on internal grounds such as completion of objectives, troop safety, or geopolitical timing, this is consistent with India’s past behaviour. The opposition has no moral right to suggest otherwise.

ALSO READ: ‘My Chest Swelled With Pride To See Col Sofiya & Wg Cmdr Vyomika’

DGMO is a professional, apolitical institution. It is part of the Indian Army’s highest leadership and is known for making tactical and operational decisions based on ground realities, not political agendas. To imply that such a senior military body acted under U.S. pressure without credible proof undermines the integrity of the armed forces. Besides, there is no evidence linking Trump to any kind of decision regarding Operation Sindoor – no document, no diplomatic cable, nor intelligence leak.

Political mudslinging undermines national security discourse. By continuing to push the theory of foreign interference, the Opposition is turning critical military decisions into a political football. This damages public trust and can demoralise the armed forces, which operate in secrecy for national interest. It is vital for opposition parties in a democracy to question the government but not at the cost of national unity in matters of security.

The government has issued a clear and formal clarification over Operation Sindoor. Demanding further disclosures may infringe on the confidentiality of sensitive operations, which are not meant for political theatre

As told to Rajat Rai

‘Indus Treaty Action Will Go The Same Way As Op Sindoor – US Mediation’

By Lokmarg

NR Mohanty, a teacher, commentator & social media influencer, says India has few backers on geopolitical chessboard to support its action on Indus Water Treaty. His views

Can India walk out of the 65-year-old Indus Water Treaty (IWT) unilaterally?

The answer is both ‘Yes’ and ‘No’. Yes, because we live in a lawless world. Although there is no one-sided exit clause in the IWT treaty, who can prevent us if we choose to do so! If the International Court of Justice (ICJ) indicts us, we can turn around and say, “ICJ, who?”

Didn’t Israel pooh-pooh the ICJ decree that the Jewish State was committing genocide in Gaza? Let’s remember the famous Thucydides’ line: “The strong do what they can; the weak suffer what they must.”

Israel can get away because it’s backed by the USA, militarily and economically the most powerful country in the world. Unfortunately, India has no backers, strong or weak. Not a single country has backed Operation Sindoor, India’s military retaliation against Pakistan, for sponsoring cross-border terrorism

After a seven-nation multi-party delegation went on a taxpayer-funded trip to 35 capitals of the world to convey India’s message about Pakistan being the hub of international terrorists, the UN Security Council designated Pakistan as the Chair and Vice Chair of two UN panels overseeing anti-terrorist activities

This amounted to a tight slap on the face of Indian diplomats and members of the seven-party delegation. Rubbing salt on injury, a top US General said on June 11 that Pakistan has been a valuable collaborator in the fight against terror!

Just ask those 50-odd individuals, who went on fortnight-long expensive vacation, if any country has endorsed the weaponisation of water by India in the Indo-Pak conflict — you will draw a blank. No country will say India is right in withholding water to Pakistan. Water is a natural resource; just because you are an upper riparian state, you have no moral or legal right to squeeze the tap meant for the lower riparian state. But India can go ahead and do so in complete disregard of the moral and legal imperative.

India says that it has only kept the IWT in abeyance, it has not abrogated it. India’s stated position is that the treaty will remain suspended until Pakistan mends its ways and gives up on terror. When Pakistan has never admitted to its cross-border terrorist activities, and when the UN Security Council is certifying its anti-terror credentials, how do you expect it to mend its ways?

So, it’s a fait accompli; the suspension of IWT remains in force for an indefinite period. What are its consequences?

It’s going to be disastrous. After all, 80% of Pakistan’s agriculture is dependent on Indus water; more than 90% of the water is used for non-agricultural purposes and sourced from the Indus. Imagine if India successfully obstructs the flow of water to Pakistan, our hostile neighbour will turn into an arid land and millions will die of starvation! As India Today Group Editorial Director Raj Chengappa said the other day on TV, it’s a scenario ripe for a nuclear strike by Pakistan. “If you are dying, why not kill and die” would be the template for its military bosses, he said.

ALSO READ: ‘Poonch People Want Peace; War Only Brings Misery’

However, such an apocalyptic scenario is not likely to happen. It’s because India does not have the capacity to hold back the Indus in spate. The infrastructure needed to do so would cost billions and take decades to build, with all its ecological consequences. Yes, India can inflict pain on Pakistan during the lean season and damage the Rabi crops. It can withhold hydrological data and cause flash floods in parts of Pakistan.

Can Pakistan’s close ally, China, come to its rescue? China can’t help procure water for its friend, but it can cause damage to the common enemy, India. After all, in case of the Brahmaputra river, China is the upper riparian state and India is at the receiving end. Brahmaputra’s water is not as central to India’s needs as Indus is to Pakistan’s.

The Assam CM’s bravado that Assam would do better if China stops Brahmaputra water is a semi-educated response. His logic is that without Brahmaputra water, the annual flooding of Assam will stop during every monsoon. If China decides to build big dams on Brahmaputra — it has the advanced technology and financial wherewithal to do so — then it can cause intermittent floods in Assam round the year, causing unspeakable devastation. However, China is a prudent country; it will not invest billions just to punish India!

That brings us to the question: what is the endgame of the Indus Water Treaty theatre?

I have a hunch that it will end the same way the ceasefire after Operation Sindoor came about. There will be a hush-hush deliberation: the US team will prevail on India to restore the agreement; Trump will announce on ‘Truth Social’ that he helped broker the deal. Pakistan will profusely thank him for his mediation. India would say, without contradicting Trump, that it considered Pakistan’s appeal and agreed to restore the IWT. Our PM will go on TV to announce that he revoked the suspension of IWT as Pakistan agreed to stop cross-border terrorism.

Everyone will cheer. After all, a small diplomatic lie is par for the course to avert a big military disaster!

(The narrator, a former president of the JNU Students’ Union, has been the director, Jagran Institute of Management and Mass Communication (JIMMC), Noida. He is a former resident editor, The Times of India and Hindustan Times, Patna edition. His commentary on a current affair issue every morning is widely read on social media.)

As told to Amit Sengupta

‘Col Sofiya & Wg Cdr Vyomika Are New Role Models For Indian Girls’

By LokMarg

Aanya Rao, a 12th pass-out from Noida, says the lady officers who briefed the world about Operation Sindoor have inspired Indian girls to don uniform. Her views:

The day I saw the images of Colonel Sofiya Qureshi and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh flashing across every Indian news channel, something inside me changed. I had always admired the uniform, the discipline, and the courage it represented — but until that moment, the dream of joining the Indian Armed Forces felt distant. That morning, however, my dream found a face, and a future.

As a 17-year-old girl from Noida, I’ve grown up in a fast-paced city full of ambition, but when it came to career choices for girls, most people still leaned towards medicine, engineering, or business. The Army? That was usually “too tough” or “meant only for boys.” But when I saw Col Sofiya leading a multinational medical team and Wg Cdr Vyomika commanding the skies, something clicked inside me. These weren’t just stories of success — they were milestones for every Indian girl with a fire in her heart and service in her soul.

Watching them stand tall in their uniforms, with confidence in their eyes and pride in their voice, I felt a connection. They looked like us — educated, ambitious, Indian women who chose courage over comfort. They didn’t just make headlines; they made history. They proved that women are not only part of the Armed Forces — they can lead, inspire, and protect with unmatched strength.

That morning, I remember sitting at the breakfast table, staring at the TV, my books still open in front of me. My parents noticed my silence. I looked at them and said, “I want to be like her.” At first, they were surprised — not because I had dreams, but because for the first time, they saw me believe in them so strongly. Col Sofiya and Wg Cdr Vyomika weren’t just in the news — they were in my heart, lighting the path I now wanted to walk.

ALSO READ: ‘My Chest Swelled With Pride To See Col Sofiya On Dias’

Since then, I’ve started preparing seriously — jogging every morning in the park near my Sector-62 home, watching videos on SSB interviews, and reading about the life of officers. The NDA route is tough, and being a girl from a civilian background makes it more challenging, but I’m not afraid. If they could do it, so can I — and so can thousands of girls like me from cities like Noida and beyond.

These two women didn’t ask for special treatment. They earned their place with hard work and determination. That’s what makes them my heroes. They wore the uniform not for show, but with purpose. And that’s exactly how I want to wear mine — with pride, duty, and honour.

Yes, I’m just a 12th pass-out girl from Noida. But I’m also someone who saw two fearless women lead from the front — and from that moment on, I knew I wasn’t just chasing a dream anymore.That’s the magic of inspiration — it turns a quiet dream into a plan, and a plan into purpose.

As told to Deepti Sharma

‘There Are Better Options For Indian Tourists Than Turkey-Azerbaijan’

By LokMarg

Ankit Rastogi, a veteran travel consultant, says Indians are unwilling to put their money into the pockets of their enemy nations. His views:

Operation Sindoor has filled every Indian with national pride. It has also revealed to the nation about its friends and enemies on the global map. Ever since it appeared in the media that Turkey was the top supplier and supporter of the drones being used to shell Indian territories (followed by a #boycottturkey trend on social media), Indians responded in kind.

I was swarmed with calls for cancellations of prior bookings to popular destinations in Turkey like Istanbul and Antalya. Ditto for Azerbaijan which had extended unconditional support to Pakistan! A number of bookings to Baku Old City in Azerbaijan were cancelled. Some of these cancellations had their visas cleared but irrespective of the deductions incurred in cancellations, there were no complaints or requests for full reimbursements, or pressure on us to bear the losses.

With the advent of social media in the past couple of decades, Turkey and Azerbaijan had become favourites for Indians travellers owing to their history, architecture and comparatively accessible travel options. But a shift in the geopolitical winds in the wake of Operation Sindoor has hurt the Indians sentiments towards these two countries. The general mood is: why Indian travellers should money and support the travel economy of countries that openly stand with adversaries of the nation.

Of late, Indian travellers wanted something new, beyond usual preferred destinations ike Thailand and Singapore. It was there that countries like Azerbaijan offered a European feel at a fraction of price. But that interest has disappeared and people are now looking for new options, as they do not want to put their money where their enemies are.

ALSO READ: ‘My Chest Swelled With Pride To See Col Sofiya On Dias’

For the records, Turkey hosted about 2.7 lakh Indian tourists last year and it was expected to be cross over 3.5 Lakh this year with a 20.7 per cent -on year jump. Indians gave a whopping ₹4,000-crore business to Turkey and Azerbaijan through tourism but post Operation Sindoor, the bookings for the dual destinations dropped by 60 per cent; the cancellations jumped by 250 per cent in just a week.

Some new and equally popular destinations (with a nominal raise in budget) are now being suggested by tour operators. Indian tourists once planning to visit Turkey (costing ₹3-4 lakhs a week) are now being suggested / relocated to Russia, Hungary, Germany, Czech Republic, etc and budget travellers to Azerbaijan are being convinced to redirect their holiday packages to Vietnam, Singapore, Bali, or Dubai.

I will end by mentioning that the tourism idustry, as trade partners and contributors to the prosperity of India, stand in solidarity with our nation and out of deep respect to our armed forces and our soldiers, we strongly support this sentiment. We shall continue to to advise our patrons against all non-essential travel to Turkey and Azerbaijan. We have also discontinued all our offers and promotions on all our platforms to discourage tourism to these two destinations. There is no monetary benefit that comes before our love for motherland and our national interests.

As told to Rajat Rai

‘Poonch People Want Peace; War Only Brings Misery to Border Areas’

By LokMarg

Meha Dixit, a writer & researcher, recounts her days in Poonch during Operation Sindoor and the hardships faced by civilians trapped in the conflict zone.

On 8 May, 2025, when I arrived in Mendhar in the border district of Poonch from Srinagar, the local journalists had asked me to reach the same hotel where I had stayed previously in November 2024. This time, due to dangerous escalation between India and Pakistan along the LoC, with the hotel in the firing range, the entire staff had left for relatively “safer” locations. After handing me the keys of two rooms, the hotel owner too left for his home.The front room was capaciouswith large glass windows; the other room was cramped, which the hotel owner said, could beused as a shelter in case of heavy cross-border shelling.

Significantly, since Operation Sindoor was launched on the intervening night of 6-7 May, until the ceasefire, the mainstream media was virtually absent, with only a few local journalists covering the conflict in the Poonch district.

Since the day I landed in Mendhar, for seven days, until the 15th morning, I was alone in the two-storeyed hotel. On the evening of 8 May, around 7:30 pm, the juddering sound of shelling began to pound the border town. The streets were empty and grief-stricken with the howling of dogs growing louder. I ended up staying in Mendhar for 11 days, visiting several border villages such as Mankote, Bhera Dhaki, Sakhi Maidan, Chhajla, Dharana, and Bhera.

When I reached Bhera with three local journalists, the intermittent shelling started from across the border and we were required to exercise extreme caution. During my stay, the local journalists and some residents, who had not migrated to safer locations, were extremely supportive, even sending me home-cooked meals.  During the last three days of my trip, I ended up staying with a local family.

ALSO READ: ‘News Anchor Whipped Up War Hysteria In Studios’

During the escalation along the LoC, Poonch turned into a ghost town, and most people from Mendharhad migrated to other relatively safer locations, such as Ari, Arni, Topa, Pathana Tir, and even Rajouri and Jammu.In Bhera Dhaki, a resident told me, “During heavy shelling, the entire village had moved to safer areas, mostly at their relatives’ homes. During the first night of heavy shelling, we tried to protect ourselves by laying on the floor. The next morning we left our village and returned only after the ceasefire.”

All the border residents, particularly the affected families I interacted with, said that they were unprepared for the dangerous escalation along the LoC after Operation Sindoor was launched. They said, had there been adequate number of bunkers in the Poonch district, precious lives could have been saved.The residents of Bhera Dhaki are even offering to provide land for the construction of bunkers.

The people of Poonch are especially enraged with the mainstream media for being insensitive to their woes and spreading false information during four days of dangerous escalation along the LoC. In one instance, a respected religious leader from Poonch, who lost his life during the shelling, was falsely accused of being a terrorist by some channels. The residents, to different communities, including Hindus, were infuriated with this false claim.

Most residents I spoke to called for peace between India and Pakistan. For them, military confrontation is not the solution since the common people, particularly those residing along the border on both sides, bear the brunt of cross-border shelling. As a resident of Mendhar told me, “While political leaders comfortably sitting in their air-conditioned, posh rooms make the decisions regarding war, ultimately it is us who have to suffer the consequences.”

I don’t think that such operations can prevent terrorist attacks in the future. Like the border residents said, “Military confrontation between the two belligerent neighbours is not the solution.”

The region of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh is a nuclear flashpoint. Any future military confrontation is likely to bring both India and Pakistan to the brink of a nuclear war, with a superpower like China with its strategic interests in Ladakh, being increasingly involved. This would only bring misery to the civilian population.

India and Pakistan have already fought four wars since 1947. These were the 1947-1948, 1965, 1971 and 1999 Kargil War; yet, terrorist attacks have continued in J&K. Were we able to reach a détente and ‘permanent peace’ in the region? No!

These wars only brought misery to the border residents — the  Balti, Shina, and Hindu communities in Jammu being divided eternally. Besides, the villages along the international border have frequently witnessed low-intensity conflict. I believe a dialogue between the two countries can be the only solution.

(The narrator, a PhD in International Politics from JNU, Dellhi, has worked at Save the Children, Amnesty International, as Senior Consultant/Co-advisor with Ernst & Young, and has briefly taught at the Kashmir University, Srinagar. She is the author of Piece of War: Narratives of Resilience and Hope (SAGE 2020), the culmination of over a decade of field research in conflict and ‘post–conflict’ zones in South Asia, Middle East and West Africa. She is currently working on two books: ‘Post Abrogation Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh: Gender, Intersectionality and Peace– Building, and ‘Territory & Turmoil: Ladakh and Gilgit-Baltistan’, (co-edited by Dr Saranjam Baig from Pakistan). Both books will be published in 2025 by Routledge.)

As told to Amit Sengupta

‘My Chest Swelled With Pride to See Col Sofiya & Wg Cmdr Vyomika on Dais’

By LokMarg

Mohammad Imran, a PO Naval NCC Cadet Lucknow Unit, says India not only gave a befitting military response to Pakistan but also sent a layered message to the world.

While every Indian has full faith in the bravery and capability of Indian Armed Forces, it was heartening for every countryman to see when the news about Operation Sindoor was presented by two women officers – Colonel Sofiya Qureshi and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh. It gave a layered message to the world about India’s progressive image where women stood shoulder to shoulder when it came to the defence of our borders and our motherland.

As an aspiring defence officer, my heart swelled with pride when I saw the two graceful lady officers spell out every detail of the military operation in crisp, military style. The confidence reflected on their faces and their body language was beyond description.

I followed every bit of news about these two officers and was immensely moved by the reaction of Col Qureshi’s mother who gave an awe-inspiring message: educate your daughters to serve the country first. Going by the poise of both the officers who briefed us on day-to-day basis about the damage inflicted on Pakistan, every Indian citizen must have felt safe.

ALSO READ: ‘As A Soldier’s Wife, I Knew Strength Comes From Resolve’

India has never been an aggressor. We do not initiate war, we do we eek to usurp other people’s land, nor do we target innocent civilians to serve out military objectives. But once we are provoked, we hit hard and this is what we have proven to the world today by Operation Sindoor. It was justice – well delivered in the right possible manner. And this message was aptly delivered by the two lady officers.

In a powerful and symbolic move, and the presence of the two women officers also paid a fitting tribute to the widows of the Pahalgam victims as well as highlighted India’s bold stance against terrorism. It also sent a strong message of women leadership, national unity, and communal harmony on a global stage. Nothing should have been more important as messaging for a country that’s secular and dynamic in its approach to bringing their women at the forefront.

Imran is a PO NCC Caded in Lucknow Unit

For the past decades, India has been witnessing the prowess of Nari Shakti at key positions, be it in our central cabinet, political ranks, or the armed forces. There couldn’t have been a better message to the whole world. I am sure this will inspire many of our youths to follow the path taken up by these lady officers.

Being an NCC Cadet, I rejoiced the moment with my core team and team leaders at our battalion. With all the false claims made by Pakistan and their ­B-team in India including politicians and those having enormous social media followings, we have proved ourselves and our guts in all the aspects: be it warfare, social media, international diplomacy. We are roaring ahead of times gathering international followers and in times to come, we are set to rule the world.

As told to Rajat Rai

‘War Can’t Bring A Lasting Solution; Terror From Pakistan Won’t Stop’

By LokMarg

Ravinder Kumar Bhanot, a Chandigarh-based social activist, says while military strikes offer short-term relief, lasting peace warrants a long-term strategy. His views:

The devastating terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir, on April 22, 2025, which claimed the lives of 26 civilians, including tourists and locals, sent shockwaves across the nation. In response, India launched Operation Sindoor, a series of missile strikes targeting alleged terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir leading to escalations in military operations on both sides.

The human cost of these conflicts is immeasurable. Families living along the Line of Control have faced relentless shelling, leading to the destruction of homes, schools, and places of worship. The psychological trauma inflicted upon these communities, especially children, is profound and long-lasting. And hence I firmly believe that peace is the only viable path forward.

History has shown us that war is not a solution to any problem; conflicts like the USA versus Vietnam, the USA versus Russia in Afghanistan, and of late Russia against Ukraine have only led to devastation on both sides.

While I am not a resident of a border area, I believe that India’s decision to target terror bases in Pakistan was justified. Pakistan has long been notorious for supporting terrorism, and with backing from China and the USA, they may have felt invincible. India’s actions served as a necessary reality check.

On the surface, these actions appear to have been successful. However, the forces involved would be better judges of their overall effectiveness.

That said, I do not believe this will stop terrorist activities from across the border. Pakistan’s support for terrorism is deeply entrenched, and unless all terror bases in Pakistan are completely dismantled, these activities will continue.

ALSO READ: ‘Op Sindoor Struck Only aThe Symptoms of Problem’

India needs to secure solid global support, similar to what was achieved during Dr. Manmohan Singh’s tenure. Additionally, decisive actions to neutralize all terror bases and armament depots in Pakistan, including their nuclear facilities, could significantly weaken Pakistan’s capabilities.

I am uncertain about engaging in dialogue with Pakistan. Past experiences indicate that Pakistan has not acknowledged previous dialogues. Any future discussions should involve a mature ally—not the USA or China.

To effectively address the issue, cutting all trade ties with Pakistan could be a strategic move. When a country’s financial power is diminished, it becomes significantly weakened. Currently, Pakistan is facing a severe food crisis, with reports indicating a shortage of over five million tons of wheat expected next year. By severing trade relations, India could exert economic pressure that might compel Pakistan to reconsider its stance.

While military actions may provide short-term solutions, lasting peace can only be achieved through sustained diplomatic efforts and strategic economic measures.

As told to Mamta Sharma

‘As A Soldier’s Wife I Know Strength Comes From Resolve, Nor Revenge’

By LokMarg

Saroj Karwasra, who prays for lasting peace, says Indian attack on Pakistani terror camps was less an act of retaliation and more a step to protect its citizens’ future. Her views:

As the wife of a retired army officer, I have seen the reality behind the headlines. I have lived through the worry when my husband was posted at the border, and I have heard stories that most people only read about in newspapers. Over the years, I have learned to stay calm in the face of uncertainty, to smile even when I was terrified inside, and to always hope that peace would one day prevail.

That’s why, when India launched an attack on terrorist camps across the border, I felt it was a necessary step, not out of aggression but out of the need to protect our own. Enough innocent lives have been lost, and it’s time we took a firm stand.

This isn’t about politics. It’s personal for me, and for every family that’s lived through the pain of losing a loved one to terrorism. We’ve stayed quiet for too long, lighting candles after every attack, offering our condolences, and moving on because what else could we do? But not this time. This time, India stood up and said, “Enough.” And I couldn’t be prouder.

The attack on terror camps wasn’t an act of hate; it was an act of self-defence. For once, we sent a message that our silence should not be mistaken for weakness. We didn’t go after civilians or peace; we went after those who train and fund terror. Whether the mission was a “success” in military terms, I cannot say. But emotionally, it was. It brought dignity to those we lost. It reminded the world that India will no longer weep quietly.

Terrorism is like a poison it takes time to defang. And this strike was a strong first dose of the antidote. Of course, military action alone is not enough. We must also take harder decisions on the ground. India needs to rethink who we open our doors to. We must be cautious about migration, especially from across the border.

The Karwasra couple prays for lasting peace on border

We should pause and review the treaties and agreements with Pakistan and ask honestly, are they helping us, or hurting us? If they are not in our national interest, we have every right to step back. Because peace, however noble, should never come at the cost of our people’s safety.

ALSO READ: ‘Op Sindoor Followed Yudh Dharma, Didn’t Target Civilians’

Now, there are voices that say we should talk to Pakistan. Believe me, no one wants peace more than a soldier’s family. We know what war looks like, we live with its scars long after the firing stops. But dialogue requires trust. And trust has been broken too many times.

Maybe someday, when both nations truly want peace not just on paper but in spirit we can sit and talk like neighbors. But until that day comes, India must continue to protect its own. No more empty promises. No more folded flags handed to mothers and wives with trembling hands and broken hearts.

As a soldier’s wife, I’ve learned that strength is not about anger, but about quiet, steady resolve. And in that moment when India struck back, I felt a strange sense of peace because finally, we stood up not just for the fallen, but for the living. For every soldier at the border, for every child who deserves to grow up without fear and for every citizen who believes in justice.

And that, I truly believe, is what justice looks like.

As told to Deepti Sharma

‘Op Sindoor Followed Yudh Dharma By Not Targeting Innocent Civilians’

By LokMarg

Aman Dubey, a research scholar in Lucknow University, says in its war against terror across border, India decisively proved its superiority on diplomatic and military fronts. His views:

When Indian armed forced launched Operation Sindoor in response to the cowardly Pahalgam terrorist attack on innocent tourists, I was both anxious and supportive of the Indian strategy to strike at the heart of terror bases across the border. In the quick time that our forced carried out the mission, every Indian must feel proud of the country’s professional and measured respose.

First, the message was loud and clear: This is a new and transformed India, an India that did not rush to America or any other western power for support but opened the multiple offensive fronts to bring Pakistan on its knees in a matter of few days. This was evident from the fact that it was Pakistan which rushed to all the superpowers and the OIC countries pleading for help and interference but all (except Turkey) turned deaf ears to its pleas.

Second, Operation Sindoor proved to be a new dawn for the defence mechanism and hi-tech weaponry that India has added to its armour in the past few years. Be it the indigenously designed and produced drones and the Air Defense Systems or the co-produced Brahmos and other lethal missiles.

All our defence apparatus and weapons performed to 100 per cent of its capacity sending jitters to the enemies and their associates besides dropping the jaws of the self-proclaimed masters and developers of similar technologies. India has now emerged as a regional superpower much to the surprise of the entire world.

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The operation also witnessed the transformation of the defence infrastructure to the non contact war model as compared to the earlier Uri surgical strike and the Balakot aerial attack that were based on the traditional war model. Op Sindoor also transformed India into a rule setter in the military interface. While avenging the Pahalgam terror attack by missile attacks on terror camps inside Pakistan, it was commendable that the enemy could not penetrate our air space. The biggest gem in the crown for India was that it not only destroyed Pakistan’s ADS, it also attacked and damaged its air bases in quick time.

The biggest achievement of the current conflict was that we started and paused the offensive at will. None of the bigwigs of the world even tried to come to the front (to deescalate) besides America that first boasted of ‘forcefully’ mediating the ceasefire but later backed off (after the strict stance of India) declaring itself a mere spectator to the entire process. India stood firm and resolute that it stopped the assault after Pak DGMO pleaded and no other country interfered or forced them to enter the deal. In addition, India has firmly said that the operation has just paused and not stopped giving sleepless nights to enemies. Another aspect of the offensive was that India stuck to its values and ‘Dharma’ and did not attack civilians.

As our PM Narendra Modi has vehemently declared, that this is the new normal for India and that terrorism would be met with decisive force, rejecting any possibility of dialogue or trade with Pakistan until terrorism is addressed. We, as Indians and the generation that has the responsibility of carrying forward this New India on its shoulders, stand a proud witness to the success and intensity of operation Sindoor and will carry forward the legacy with honour.

As told to Rajat Rai