In the wake of Operation Sindoor, a bold Indian military response to a Pakistan-sponsored terror attack, the debate over nuclear deterrence, the evolution of modern warfare, and the shifting balance of power in South Asia and beyond has intensified. This month, top Indian officials, military strategists, and international analysts have weighed in on how recent events are rewriting the rules of engagement and challenging long-held assumptions about the role of nuclear weapons in regional and global security.
On October 13, 2025, Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan addressed students and dignitaries at the 128th Foundation Day celebrations of Scindia School in Gwalior. He declared that Operation Sindoor, conducted in May 2025, had created a "new matrix of decision and timing in warfare." The operation, which saw Indian armed forces carry out precision air strikes on terror hubs in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir between May 7 and May 10, marked a decisive shift in India's approach to cross-border threats and nuclear brinkmanship.
General Chauhan emphasized that war is not the sole domain of the armed forces. "No war is fought by the armed forces alone; the whole nation fights it. Leaders, diplomats and soldiers know their roles," he told the gathering, which included Union minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, and alumni of the prestigious school. According to IANS, Chauhan insisted that after Operation Sindoor, a new normal has emerged: "Talks and terrorism cannot go hand in hand, and the country cannot tolerate even the threat of a nuclear attack."
The general was unequivocal about Pakistan's nuclear strategy: "Pakistan thought it could do anything with nuclear capability, but Operation Sindoor proved it wrong." He further asserted, "The new normal’s impact was visible on Pakistan — we outperformed it in every field, including sports." Chauhan highlighted the 24/7 commitment of the Indian armed forces and the growing reliance on technologies such as air defence, electronic warfare, and drones. He called this era "Amrit Kaal," urging the youth to contribute to the vision of a developed India by 2047, a target set by the Prime Minister.
Union minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, reflecting on the Maratha legacy and the role of the military in national defense, told attendees, "This day is not just a date — it reminds us of a journey that began 128 years ago. It was the vision of the late Madhav Maharaj, who wanted to create an academy that instils discipline and character. This tradition continues to this day." He described Operation Sindoor as "not just an operation, but a message of courage — a symbol of India’s culture and values." Scindia also praised the destruction of enemy bases without civilian casualties, attributing this success to technology and teamwork under General Chauhan’s leadership.
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, an alumnus of Scindia School and recipient of the Madhav Award at the event, recalled, "The four years I spent here shaped my career. This award is dedicated to all my teachers and friends who moulded my life and career. It was here that I learnt to face challenges."
The impact of Operation Sindoor has rippled through India's security apparatus. According to IANS, in the aftermath of the operation and the Pakistan-sponsored Pahalgam terror attack in April, 346 Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) personnel have been trained by the Indian Army to counter high-intensity terror threats. These Quick Response Team (QRT) commandos underwent rigorous six-month in-house CISF training before joining the Army module, which covers urban and jungle warfare, high-risk zone engagement, and integrated drone warfare tactics. Officials say this training will enable CISF personnel to respond with military precision to crises at airports, nuclear facilities, government installations, and Parliament.
The CISF's capacity is expanding rapidly. The Union Home Ministry approved an increase in strength from 162,000 to 220,000 personnel, with nearly 15 percent comprising QRT units. The aim, sources say, is to match the Indian Army’s combat efficiency by 2028. New weaponry, including AK-203 rifles and fold-butt rifles for close-quarter combat, is set to bolster their firepower. Most newly trained commandos have already been deployed at hypersensitive sites such as airports in Jammu, Kashmir, Leh, and other critical installations. The CISF is also expected to induct nearly 350 drones in the coming months, reflecting the growing importance of unmanned systems in modern conflict — a trend observed in recent wars from South Asia to Ukraine and the Middle East.
This transformation in Indian security thinking is taking place against a complex international backdrop. As The Print reported, the Russia-Ukraine conflict has exposed the limitations of nuclear deterrence. Russia’s updated 2024 nuclear doctrine lowered the threshold for nuclear weapon use to include actions affecting critical state or military infrastructure, as well as massive air and space attacks. Ukraine’s Operation Spyder Web crossed these red lines, prompting multiple Russian threats of tactical nuclear weapons use — threats that Europe no longer takes seriously.
Germany’s response to the Ukraine war illustrates the shifting calculus. Initially hesitant, Germany has now supplied Ukraine with $47 billion worth of military aid, including air-defense systems, advanced drones, and heavy artillery. This incremental support, analysts argue, has eroded Russia’s nuclear red lines and demonstrated that conventional and incremental actions can proceed despite nuclear threats.
The stability-instability paradox — the idea that nuclear weapons deter large-scale war but increase the likelihood of smaller, conventional conflicts — is on full display in both South Asia and Eastern Europe. As the article in The Print notes, "Nuclear deterrence has limitations and does not deter incremental or conventional actions of lower yields. The costs associated with utilizing nuclear weapons for deterring incremental erosion of thresholds is unimaginable." The inability of parties to agree on thresholds makes miscalculation a real risk. States are therefore urged to invest in conventional deterrence capabilities, reinvent military doctrines, and understand adversaries’ strategic cultures and nuclear thresholds.
India’s experience with Pakistan, particularly during Operation Sindoor, echoes these lessons. After Pakistan became a nuclear power, it engaged in sub-threshold tactics, assuming that mutual nuclear vulnerability would prevent Indian retaliation. However, India’s willingness to use conventional force in 2016, 2019, and especially in 2025 has challenged that assumption. The message from Indian leaders is clear: nuclear threats will not deter India from defending itself, and the nation is committed to building both technological and human capacity to meet future challenges.
As the world watches the evolution of deterrence, doctrine, and defense, one thing is certain: the lines between conventional and nuclear, military and civilian, national and international, are being redrawn. For India, the future may well belong to those who can think creatively, act decisively, and prepare for a world where old rules no longer apply.