Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi has offered a candid assessment of the ongoing situation along the Line of Control (LoC), stressing that it is premature to measure the overall impact of Operation Sindoor, India’s retaliatory military campaign launched on May 7 following the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. While many initially believed that the operation had wrapped up within three days, the Army Chief clarified that the campaign stretched far longer, requiring a series of crucial decisions and coordinated actions that could not be disclosed publicly.
Speaking at a book launch event in New Delhi, General Dwivedi underlined that challenges at the border remain very much alive. He cautioned that Pakistan-backed terrorism has by no means been eradicated, with infiltration attempts still continuing across the LoC. He observed that while security forces have successfully neutralised several infiltrators, others have managed to slip through, proving that the threat of cross-border terrorism remains persistent. In his words, “state-sponsored terrorism has not ended,” a reminder of the protracted nature of India’s security struggle in the region.
The Army Chief also highlighted the critical role of synergy during the operation, describing the Indian Army’s manoeuvres as moving like a “rhythmic wave” where every unit operated in perfect synchronisation, fully aware of their roles and responsibilities. This spirit of coordination, according to him, was central to the successful execution of the campaign and is a lesson for future military engagements.
Turning to the broader concept of theaterisation, General Dwivedi reiterated his firm belief in its inevitability. He explained that in the context of modern warfare, where multiple stakeholders ranging from the three services to civil and cyber agencies play a role, unity of command becomes indispensable. He stressed that theaterisation is the logical solution, as it places a single commander at the helm, ensuring seamless coordination and effective execution of strategies. Responding to recent debates among other service chiefs, he made it clear that the only question is how soon the system will be implemented, not whether it will happen.
Beyond military operations and strategy, General Dwivedi welcomed the recent Goods and Services Tax (GST) reforms, particularly those directly benefiting the defence sector. He noted that the reduction of GST on drones from 18 per cent to 5 per cent would significantly accelerate their large-scale procurement, providing the armed forces with advanced tools for surveillance and combat operations. The reforms, he added, would also act as a catalyst for strengthening India’s defence corridors, opening the door for higher levels of investment.
In particular, the Army Chief emphasised the opportunities these changes create for MSMEs and start-ups, which often struggle with resource constraints when attempting to break into the defence sector. By easing financial pressures through tax cuts, these enterprises can now play a larger role in supplying innovation and technology to India’s military infrastructure. This, in turn, will not only boost indigenous defence manufacturing but also help India reduce its reliance on foreign suppliers.
