In what top government sources are calling a “new normal”, India has signalled a decisive shift in its strategic posture towards Pakistan following Operation Sindoor—a powerful retaliatory campaign executed after the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 civilians.

According to a high-level government briefing reported by CNBC-TV18, India’s military destroyed key terrorist hubs in Muridke, Muzaffarabad and Bahawalpur within just 25 minutes, marking one of the fastest and most precise operations conducted by Indian forces across the border. The offensive was launched in the early hours of May 7–8, targeting Pakistan’s deep military and terror infrastructure.

The political cost was equally escalated with India suspending the Indus Waters Treaty, signalling that cross-border terrorism will now directly impact foundational bilateral agreements. PM Narendra Modi, during a message to the armed forces, reportedly said: “Agar wahan se goli chalegi, toh yahan se gola chalega”—(If bullets are fired from there, we will respond with shells).

Ceasefire? Not quite.

On May 10, the DGMOs of India and Pakistan held talks and agreed to a mutual halt of firing at 5 PM IST, but Indian sources have now clarified this understanding is not a conventional ceasefire. The Indian establishment firmly holds that violations by Pakistan on the same night will be responded to appropriately, reinforcing that Operation Sindoor is not over.

US Role in Diplomacy

India kept the US informed, with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar alerting US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on April 30 that India would be hitting targets inside Pakistan. The US later confirmed that Pakistan sought intervention after India’s powerful retaliation.

US Vice President JD Vance, in his outreach, reportedly warned of escalation, to which PM Modi is believed to have responded firmly that India will hit back forcefully if provoked. Eventually, it was communicated to the US that India would discuss ceasefire protocols only bilaterally through DGMO-level dialogue—not through external mediation.

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