The Hindu Editorial Analysis
21 May 2025
India’s ‘new normal’ deconstructed
(Source – The Hindu, National Edition – Page No. – 08)
Topic: GS 2 & GS 3: Internal Security | India’s Foreign Policy | Cross-Border Terrorism | Strategic Doctrine
Context
- Following the Pahalgam terror attack (April 2024), India launched Operation Sindoor, reiterating a sharper, more assertive doctrine in its fight against terrorism emanating from Pakistan.
- The editorial outlines how Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s statements and actions reflect a doctrinal shift—the emergence of a “new normal” in India-Pakistan security relations.
Introduction
In South Asia’s volatile security landscape, doctrine matters.
India’s response to terrorism has evolved from restraint to assertive deterrence, now termed the “new normal”.
This doctrine is built on the principles of retaliation, precision, and strategic signalling, aimed at decoupling diplomacy from terror tolerance.
What Is the ‘New Normal’? Key Shifts in India’s Strategy
1. No Tolerance, No Territory for Terrorists
- PM Modi’s doctrine is clear: India will retaliate if provoked, even if the perpetrators are backed by Pakistan.
- Operations like Sindoor signal that India will act within its rights, on its own terms, and no longer tolerate safe havens across the LoC or IB.
2. Strategic Clarity and Calibrated Escalation
- Air and missile strikes have been precisely targeted, avoiding civilian or economic damage.
- This breaks the old taboo of escalation, but keeps action below the nuclear threshold, maintaining control of the escalation ladder.
3. Blame Cannot Be Shifted to ‘Non-State Actors’
- Pakistan can no longer use the excuse of “non-state actors”, as India holds the state accountable for terror activities if conducted from its soil.
- The global consensus on state responsibility has grown stronger, aiding India’s diplomatic posture.
Operationalising the Doctrine: What Changed?
1. Surgical Strikes to Missile Retaliation
- From 2016’s surgical strikes to 2024’s Operation Sindoor, India has demonstrated increased willingness to strike swiftly and with surgical precision.
- Such strikes have targeted training camps, logistics nodes, and militant leadership, delivering symbolic and operational blows.
2. Enhanced ISR and Border Surveillance
- India’s capability to conduct Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) operations has significantly improved.
- This supports accurate target identification, enabling pinpoint responses without risking major war.
Diplomatic and Strategic Consequences
1. Reshaping India’s Pakistan Policy
- The new doctrine signals the end of dialogue for the sake of dialogue.
- India now responds to provocations militarily, and only returns to diplomacy when terror ceases.
2. Isolating Pakistan Internationally
- India’s post-terror diplomacy aims to build global pressure, label Pakistan as a sponsor of terrorism, and curtail international funding or military support.
3. Message to Domestic and Global Audiences
- Domestically, the government showcases firm leadership and resolve.
- Globally, India signals that it will no longer be a passive victim, but a proactive security actor.
Conclusion
India’s “new normal” is not impulsive—it is doctrinally deliberate.
It aims to deter, respond, and reset expectations from both adversaries and the international community.
As India matures as a global power, it must ensure that this doctrine is balanced by strategic foresight, precise execution, and diplomatic agility.
The new normal is not just retaliation—it is a national assertion of sovereignty and security, marking India’s evolution into a confident security state.