The “stoppage of firing” agreement was reached between India and Pakistan, effective from 5:00 PM IST on May 10, 2025. Announced by the Indian Ministry of External Affairs and elaborated upon by Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, the agreement mandates a complete cessation of military operations across land, air, and sea. This development comes in the wake of the April 22, 2025, Pahalgam terror attack, which had escalated hostilities between the two sides.
The agreement, reached after a crucial dialogue between the Directors General of Military Operations (DGMOs) of both countries, diverges from a conventional ceasefire as it represents a conditional de-escalation, an outcome of India’s proactive military and diplomatic measures. This strategic move underscores India’s commitment to maintaining regional stability while demonstrating a strong stance against terrorism.
The following report comprises the takeaways from Operation Sindoor.
Escalation and Operation Sindoor
On April 22, 2025, a terror attack in Pahalgam killed 26 civilians, including 25 tourists. The attack was blamed on Pakistan-based terrorist groups Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and its affiliate, The Resistance Front (TRF). India accused Pakistan of supporting these cross-border terrorist activities.
In response, India launched “Operation Sindoor” on May 7, 2025, a precise 25-minute military strike targeting 24 terrorist camps and launchpads at nine locations in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK). The operation used advanced drones and air-launched weapons, highlighting India’s military capabilities.
Pakistan reacted by attacking Indian military, religious places and civilian areas using drones, long-range weapons, and fighter jets. India defended itself effectively, including shooting down Turkish kamikaze drones in Indian soil.
As tensions grew, India took several measures: it suspended the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), closed the Attari-Wagah border, expelled Pakistani diplomats, and downgraded diplomatic relations. In retaliation, Pakistan closed its airspace to Indian aircraft and stopped trade.
Amid this, the “stoppage of firing” agreement was reached, influenced by international pressure, particularly U.S. conditions tied to Pakistan’s IMF bailout.
What is the “Stoppage of Firing”?
The “stoppage of firing” is a temporary halt in cross-border military engagements, distinct from a formal ceasefire. It was initiated after India’s strikes on May 7, 2025, dismantled terrorist infrastructure and targeted 11 Pakistani air bases. Pakistan, under pressure from the U.S. and constrained by its economic reliance on IMF bailouts, agreed to cease hostilities. India, however, avoids the term “ceasefire,” preferring “stoppage of firing” to emphasise its proactive stance and readiness to resume action if provoked. The agreement reflects India’s strategic gains, balancing military dominance with diplomatic manoeuvring.
Key Takeaways from Operation Sindoor
• Precision Strikes on Terrorist Infrastructure: Operation Sindoor demonstrated India’s advanced military capabilities through a 25-minute operation targeting 24 terrorist launchpads across nine locations in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK). Using drones and air-launched weapons, India dismantled training camps of groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), Jaish-e-Mohammed, and Hizbul Mujahideen, reinforcing its commitment to countering terrorism.
• Crippling Pakistan’s Military Infrastructure: India’s strikes targeted eleven Pakistani military sites, including air bases such as Rafiqui, Murid, Chaklala, Rahim Yar Khan, Sukkur, and Chunian. The destruction of seven air bases, as reported by Indian sources, significantly weakened Pakistan’s air force, a critical component of its defence strategy. These precision strikes highlight India’s technological edge and readiness to target state assets linked to terrorism.
• Strengthened Position on the Indus Waters Treaty: India’s suspension of the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) on April 24, 2025, provides leverage over Pakistan, which relies on the Indus basin for 80 per cent of its agricultural water. By halting water flow through the Baglihar dam and advancing dam construction on western rivers, India can exert economic pressure. The agreement maintains this suspension, prioritising water utilisation for states like Punjab and Haryana.
• U.S. Endorsement of India’s Counterterrorism Doctrine: The U.S. has signalled support for India’s doctrine equating terrorist acts by non-state actors with state-sponsored aggression, warranting retaliation. This alignment strengthens India’s global counterterrorism stance and deters Pakistan by raising the risk of international isolation for supporting proxy groups.
• U.S. Economic Pressure via IMF Conditions: The U.S. tied Pakistan’s access to a $1 billion IMF loan tranche, part of a $7 billion Extended Fund Facility, to compliance with the agreement. Given Pakistan’s $130 billion debt, these conditions compelled Pakistan to agree, ensuring sustained compliance through economic oversight.
• PM Modi’s Diplomatic Success: The rapid de-escalation within a week aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s statement, “This is not an era of war.” By securing Pakistan’s agreement to halt hostilities, India demonstrated its ability to combine military action with diplomatic pressure, reinforcing Modi’s commitment to resolving conflicts through dialogue while maintaining a firm stance against terrorism.
• Terrorism as an ‘Act of War’: India’s declaration that future terror attacks will be treated as “acts of war” raises the stakes for Pakistan. This policy shift signals that India will respond to terrorism with overwhelming military force, potentially targeting not just terrorist infrastructure but also Pakistani military assets. To operationalise this, India needs an integrated attack policy combining cyber warfare, economic sanctions, diplomatic isolation, and precision strikes to deter Pakistan effectively.
• Pakistan’s Persistent Threat: As long as Pakistan exists in its current form, it will seek to undermine India through terrorism and proxy wars. Operation Sindoor, while successful, is unlikely to deter Pakistan in the long term. India must prepare for renewed attacks, as any agreement, including the “stoppage of firing,” is likely temporary. This necessitates sustained military readiness and intelligence gathering.
• Turkey and China’s Support for Pakistan: The operation exposed Pakistan’s reliance on Turkey, which supplied kamikaze drones, and China, which provides nuclear technology, missiles, defence equipment, and diplomatic support. India must assess Pakistan’s capabilities in the context of these alliances, particularly China’s strategic role in countering India’s regional influence.
• China’s Strategic Use of Pakistan: A retired diplomat described China as Pakistan’s “all-weather friend,” using it as a low-cost tool to contain India. China’s support includes nuclear and missile technology, defence equipment, economic aid, and diplomatic backing in international forums. India must counter this by strengthening ties with the U.S., Japan, and other Quad members while accelerating its own defence modernisation.
• Showcase of Indigenous Defence Capabilities: The successful use of Akash missiles during Operation Sindoor highlights the progress of India’s Make in India initiative. This supports further investment in domestic defence production, such as the Tejas fighter jet, and opens opportunities for defence exports.
• U.S. as a Transactional Partner: The U.S. supports India’s growth when it aligns with its interests, such as countering China or boosting its GDP. India must engage the U.S. strategically, leveraging partnerships in technology, defence, and trade while maintaining autonomy in foreign policy.
• Demographic Invasion Threat: Pakistan may attempt a “demographic invasion” by encouraging illegal immigration into India. Indian courts must avoid granting protections or benefits to illegal immigrants under the guise of secularism, as this could undermine national security. Robust policies are needed to address this emerging challenge.
Strategic Implications
Operation Sindoor and the “stoppage of firing” agreement underscore India’s enhanced military precision and diplomatic influence, marking a significant milestone in its response to regional security challenges. Nevertheless, the agreement’s temporary nature and Pakistan’s ongoing threat, compounded by its alliances with China and Turkey, demand a comprehensive strategy. India must bolster its defence capabilities through indigenous advancements, strengthen strategic partnerships to counter external support for Pakistan, and maintain robust internal security measures. The “stoppage of firing” represents a tactical de-escalation rather than a lasting resolution, requiring sustained vigilance to safeguard national interests.
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