‘One Border, Multiple Adversaries’: Army Deputy Chief Breaks Down Op Sindoor Learnings
New Delhi | 4 July 2025 – In a revealing address at a defence seminar hosted by FICCI, Lieutenant General Rahul R. Singh, Deputy Chief of Army Staff (Capability Development & Sustenance), delivered a frank assessment of Operation Sindoor, India’s 87-hour military operation that marked a significant chapter in modern warfare. His key message: while India faced threats along a single border, the adversaries came from more than one direction—exposing a complex and coordinated multi-nation opposition against Indian forces.
Operation Sindoor: A Defining Moment in India’s Military Doctrine
The operation, which has since been characterized by many analysts as India's first real confrontation in a two-front war, highlighted the evolving nature of warfare and regional alliances. “First, one border, two adversaries. We saw Pakistan on one side, but in truth, adversaries were three, or even four,” Lt Gen Singh said.
This candid acknowledgment brings forth the idea that while Pakistan was the visible enemy, its military effort was amplified by Chinese and Turkish support—making the operational environment far more sophisticated and lethal.
China's Shadow: The Hidden Hand Behind the Conflict
According to Lt Gen Singh, China played a covert yet critical role during the operation. “China provided all possible support—no surprise there,” he stated. “Eighty-one percent of Pakistan’s military hardware in the last five years has come from China. It follows the ancient Chinese doctrine of 'killing with a borrowed knife'. Rather than get involved directly, China prefers to use a neighbour to create pressure.”
This strategy allowed China to test its technologies indirectly and assess India’s military response in a live battlefield scenario—essentially turning Pakistan into a real-time military lab.
The Deputy Chief highlighted that India must be aware of such proxy tactics and prepare accordingly for future threats. “We need to be cognizant. Turkey too played its part, especially through the supply of advanced drones now used by Pakistan,” he added.
Live Intelligence Feed: Real-Time Coordination Between Adversaries
One of the most concerning revelations from Lt Gen Singh’s address was the confirmation of real-time intelligence sharing between China and Pakistan during Op Sindoor. “When DGMO-level talks were happening, Pakistan was referring to specific vectors we had activated. They requested we pull them back. Clearly, they were getting live satellite feeds from China,” he said.
This raises serious alarms within the Indian security establishment regarding China's surveillance capabilities, especially its satellite network over the Indian subcontinent. It also underscores the urgent need for India to strengthen its C4ISR (Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance) infrastructure.
The Imperative of Civil-Military Fusion
Lt Gen Singh stressed the critical need to fast-track India's military modernization, particularly in the domains of civil-military fusion and integrated warfare systems. “The next big lesson is about C4ISR and civil-military integration. There’s a lot of ground to cover,” he said.
The ability to quickly process intelligence, secure communications, and implement rapid battlefield decisions is what separates modern military forces from their outdated counterparts. India's existing gaps in these areas need swift redressal, especially given how its adversaries are using both military and civilian tech ecosystems in tandem.
A Wake-Up Call for Future Warfare Preparedness
While India successfully navigated Operation Sindoor, Lt Gen Singh warned that the future could present greater challenges. “We were lucky this time—our population centers were not targeted. But next time could be different,” he cautioned.
He called for massive investments in air defence systems, anti-drone technology, and counter-rocket artillery capabilities. “We need to move very, very fast,” he emphasized, hinting at the need for accelerated indigenous development as well as selective high-tech imports.
While many Indian-made systems performed admirably during the operation, Lt Gen Singh admitted that not all met expectations. This honest assessment underscores the importance of objective review and upgradation within India's defence production ecosystem.
Muted Reactions to Chinese Involvement
Interestingly, India’s political and military leadership have largely downplayed China’s direct involvement in Operation Sindoor. Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan previously remarked that there was no concrete evidence of real-time targeting assistance from China, although he did acknowledge that Pakistan had likely used Chinese commercial satellite imagery.
However, Shekhar Gupta, Editor-in-Chief of ThePrint, wrote in his widely read column National Interest that China is increasingly using Pakistan as a strategic arm of its Western Theatre Command. In his view, China’s indirect but substantial role in Operation Sindoor was a calculated attempt to test India's preparedness while keeping Beijing's direct exposure to a minimum.
Strategic Triangulation: India Surrounded
Lt Gen Singh’s statements echo what many strategic experts have feared: India is facing a coordinated threat from multiple directions, with Pakistan as the visible face, China as the strategic brain, and nations like Turkey providing tactical tools like advanced UAVs. This triangulation creates a volatile environment for India that requires both robust deterrence and flexible diplomacy.
Conclusion: Lessons from Sindoor Must Fuel Reform
Operation Sindoor has proven to be a defining moment in India’s contemporary military history. It not only tested India’s tactical acumen but also exposed the intricate web of modern warfare—where technology, intelligence sharing, and indirect engagement play critical roles.
Lt Gen Singh’s address was a wake-up call, urging India's defence establishment to recognize the complexity of future threats and prepare not just with weapons, but with strategy, speed, and synergy. As India pushes forward with military reforms, the lessons of Op Sindoor must serve as both a warning and a blueprint.
Written by Defence Expert
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