What is the Long-Term Way Ahead for Teaching Pakistan a Lesson After Operation Sindoor?

Operation Sindoor,  marks a significant Indian military response, possibly following a grave provocation such as the Pahalgam massacre. However, teaching Pakistan a "long-term lesson" requires more than a one-time military operation. It calls for a comprehensive national strategy that operates across multiple domains—military, diplomatic, economic, informational, and covert.

A. Military Deterrence and Dominance

Maintain Credible Deterrence: Sustain forward deployments, regular tri-service exercises near the western front, and improve ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance) capabilities to maintain pressure.

Escalation Dominance: Be prepared to escalate swiftly in response to provocations while ensuring international legitimacy through calibrated responses.

Cold Start-like Doctrines: Maintain rapid mobilization forces for swift punitive actions, without crossing nuclear thresholds.

B. Diplomatic Isolation of Pakistan

Expose Pakistan’s Sponsorship of Terror at international forums (UN, FATF, G20, SCO, etc.).

Build Regional Alliances with Iran, Afghanistan (post-Taliban stability), Central Asia, and the Gulf to reduce Pakistan’s geopolitical room.

Coordinate with Global Powers: Engage U.S., France, and others to sustain pressure on Pakistan’s military and Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI).

C. Economic and Water Warfare

Exploit the Indus Waters Treaty to legally and effectively maximize water use for India.

Impose Economic Costs: Leverage trade embargoes, financial sanctions, and support FATF actions to keep Pakistan in the Grey or Black list.

D. Information and Psychological Warfare

Dominate the Narrative: Project India’s moral and strategic superiority in global and domestic media.

Expose Pakistani Military's Role in domestic suppression and terrorist activities.

Use Social Media Psyops to create internal dissent in Pakistan's restive regions (e.g., Balochistan, Sindh, Gilgit-Baltistan).

E. Support Dissident Movements

Strategic Covert Support to oppressed ethnic groups in Pakistan to increase internal chaos, diverting their military’s attention inward.