Reflections from India: Strategy, Resolve, and the Shape of Modern War

I’ve just returned from an extremely informative trip to India, where I had the privilege of meeting with senior military leaders, both active and retired, along with political officials, strategic thinkers, defense innovators, and some of the country’s most seasoned national security journalists. What I saw and heard underscored not just how far India has come, but how deliberately it is shaping its future.

From the Indian Army’s Director General of Military Operations to veteran generals, from the Ministry of External Affairs team to top diplomats and defense tech entrepreneurs, the message was consistent: the old assumptions about India’s strategic posture no longer apply. The country is transforming in doctrine, technology, and geopolitical outlook.

At the center of many conversations was Operation Sindoor, India’s military response to the April 22 Pahalgam massacre. Leaders described it not just as a counterterror operation, but as a strategic turning point. I spoke at length with the officers who planned and executed the operation. They emphasized the extent of India’s preparation, including months of wargaming, real-time intelligence fusion, and pre-positioned air defense and artillery assets.