Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: Operation Sindoor Highlights Diplomatic and Strategic Realities, Says Former Defence Adviser
Former principal adviser to the Ministry of Defence, Lieutenant General Vinod Khandare (Retd.), has said that Operation Sindoor clearly demonstrated who stands with India diplomatically. Speaking in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar on Sunday, he emphasized that war is costly and puts significant pressure on a country’s economy. He also stressed the urgent need to strengthen civil defence, which remains a major vulnerability.
The Army veteran was addressing the public during an event organized by a local NGO, reflecting on Operation Sindoor. In May, India carried out precision strikes on nine terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir in response to the April 22 Pahalgam massacre, which claimed 26 lives.
Asked about the key takeaways from Operation Sindoor, Lt Gen Khandare told reporters here. “It is clear who supports you diplomatically and who does not. Internally, it is evident where the problems and faultlines lie. A comprehensive review shows these faultlines very clearly.” He added that the “selfish interests” of certain stakeholders also became apparent during the operation.
On civil defence, he said, “We still need to work extensively on civil defence as it will continue to remain a vulnerability. Today, with modern missiles and extended reach, everything is within striking distance. We are ahead in critical technologies and research.”
Lt Gen Khandare highlighted that technological advancement alone is not enough. “Transformation requires proficiency at every level—from the lab to the battlefield. The entire chain must function seamlessly. I think we now understand our standing clearly,” he said.
He also raised concerns about border areas, particularly the civilian impact of drone attacks. “What about shelters for civilians? Border states should introduce regulations ensuring every home has protective shelters, like in Israel and Ukraine. We must learn from others to avoid repeating mistakes they overlooked,” he noted.
When asked why Operation Sindoor was paused despite favorable conditions, Lt Gen Khandare said, “I was with the defence minister at the time. Such decisions are taken after multi-level discussions. War is costly and exerts economic pressure on the country. Our focus must be on becoming a developed nation by 2047.”
Reflecting on strategic choices, he added, “We sometimes face hard decisions—whether to engage in war with a country like Pakistan or to teach them a lesson and return to development work. We must avoid mistakes like those in the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Punishment can always be administered if they err again.”
Addressing public perception, he said, “Many feel Operation Sindoor should have continued from a patriotic standpoint. But pragmatism requires assessing how much punishment is appropriate and why. The government’s aim was to dismantle terrorism and teach terrorist organisations a lesson.”
Lt Gen Khandare concluded, “We achieved that goal, but Pakistan targeted civilian areas, which was unacceptable. Our response focused on their military establishments. Some expect action in PoK, but such operations are costly and require deliberate preparation.”
