Bharat, Pakistan and America: From Operation Sindoor to Trump’s Tariff Terror
:- K. R. ANAND, Adv., Supreme Court of India
My Personal Reading of the Situation:
My limited knowledge of geopolitics tells me that something very dangerous is brewing. It is evident that the present moment carries a dangerous undercurrent. Many may dismiss Donald Trump’s recurring tirades against Bharat as political theatrics, thinking that Trump’s frequent outbursts against Bharat are just part of his political madness, but to my mind, they reveal a deeper design – I see a deeper conspiracy. His blame game is not random provocation, rather, it is a it is a deliberate and calibrated strategy to hit Bharat in every possible way and aimed at weakening our great nation on multiple fronts, particularly in the aftermath of America’s humiliation during Operation Sindoor.
I have always felt that America’s proclaimed friendship with Bharat has, in truth, always been shaped more by convenience than conviction. Even during the much-celebrated ‘golden phase’ of Modi-Trump camaraderie, when the world watched Howdy Modi at Houston in Texas in Sep, 2019 and Namaste Trump at Ahmedabad in February the following year, Washington’s covert alignment with and hidden support to Pakistan remained uninterrupted. Why? The underlying reason is straightforward. Because the US has never seen Bharat as a strategic partner in true sense but always as a potential competitor whose rise must be contained.
Pakistan’s Never-Ending Terror Project:
We all know that for decades, Pakistan has operated a state-sponsored terror machinery with near-total impunity, systematically nurturing militant groups whose singular mission is to destabilize Bharat. The global community has witnessed the bloody trail of this policy: the 2001 attack on India’s Parliament, the 2008 Mumbai carnage, the 2016 Uri assault that prompted Bharat’s surgical strikes, and the 2019 Pulwama suicide bombing that compelled Bharat to strike deep into Balakot. Each of these attacks was state-sponsored from across the border. And yet, Pakistan never learnt its lesson. Instead, Islamabad has persisted in patronizing and nurturing notorious terror outfits like Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Taiba, led by globally designated terrorists like Maulana Masood Azhar and Hafiz Saeed.
The Pahalgam attack on 22 April 2025 was yet another cruel reminder. Innocent tourists and civilians were butchered in a religion-based massacre by Pakistani terrorists. As a Bhartiya, I felt both anger and grief. But Silence was no longer an option for us and the world soon witnessed Operation Sindoor – Bharat’s decisive response.
Operation Sindoor – A Surgical Lesson:
In the intervening night of 6-7 May 2025, Bharat launched Operation Sindoor – a mission that was not an act of war but an act of justice. In a meticulously coordinated operation, our armed forces struck nine high-value targets simultaneously, eliminating terrorists and their handlers with surgical precision. The strikes were intelligence-driven, targeted, and non-escalatory, executed with such accuracy that not a single civilian was harmed. This was Bharat’s message to the world: justice can be firm yet restrained, decisive yet responsible. And yet, what did the world see next? The aftermath, however, stripped away whatever pretence Pakistan still maintained. Senior military officers, police officials, and politicians were seen openly attending the funerals of the very terrorists who had been neutralized – bestowing on them state honors. For me, this was the final and undeniable proof that Pakistan is not merely a patron of terrorism; it is a terrorist state hiding behind the mask of governance. This ugly face of Pakistan was revealed worldwide and thereafter, our Hon’ble Pradhan Mantri Shri Narendra Modi ji has always said – “Aatank ke aakaon aur aatank ke sarparast sarkaron ko ab alag alag nahi dekhenge … use ek hi maanenge … Pakistan ke State aur non-state actor ka khel ab aur nahi chalega ..(We will no longer view the masters of terror and the governments that shelter them as separate – we will treat them as one. The deceptive game of Pakistan’s so-called state and non-state actors will no longer work.)”.
Pakistan’s Misadventure and Bharat’s Stunning Response:
In a fit of desperation, Pakistan unleashed a massive assault, deploying thousands of drones, missiles, and fighter jets against Bharat. Yet, our nation stood resolute. Leveraging our indigenously developed air defense systems, seamlessly integrated and adapted with Russia’s advanced S-400 platforms, Bharat not only repelled the assault but crushed it decisively.
Then came our retaliation. In the early hours of 10 May 2025, the counterstrikes by Bharat were sudden, sharp, and devastating. With the unmatched precision of our Brahmos supersonic missiles, we neutralized critical Pakistani military installations across multiple locations. There are strong indications that even the Kirana Hills nuclear facility was impacted (although this is not the official statement of Bharat). This counterattack exposed the military capabilities of three countries – Pakistan, America and China. More importantly, the destruction of Noor Khan Airbase delivered a psychological and strategic blow, shattering the pride and overconfidence of Pakistan and America respectively. Even America’s so-called ‘invincible’ fighter jets, given to Pakistan with much hype, were reduced to wreckage, and the so-called theory of ‘invincibility’ stood exposed as a myth. Subsequently, Pakistan became helpless and sought a ceasefire. When Pakistani DGMO called our Bhartiya DGMO, Bharat accepted the ceasefire while clearly declaring that Operation Sindoor remains in force and that any future terrorist attack on Bharat will be treated as an act of war for which Pakistan will be held responsible.
For me, this moment marked more than a military victory. It symbolized Bharat’s ability to outmatch Pakistan while, as stated above, simultaneously exposing the limitations of both American and Chinese military technology. And here I must say that the way, in which the Hon’ble Pradhan Mantri ji and his team tackled the entire situation with a rare combination of valour and wisdom, has made every Bhartiya proud. I do personally feel proud that Bharat stood tall and dignified even in the face of Trump’s threats.
Bharat Rising, America Unsettled & Trump’s Tariff Terror:
The impact of Operation Sindoor reverberated far beyond Asia. Almost overnight, nations began showing keen interest in Bharat’s defense capabilities. From the Brahmos missile system to indigenous air-defense shields, the world witnessed Bharat achieving what many had long dismissed as improbable, outclassing the traditional superpowers of the global arms market. This transformation is precisely what America finds difficult to digest. For decades, Washington has operated under the assumption of unchallenged supremacy in defense technology and global leadership. Now, Bharat stands on the horizon as a self-reliant, respected, and increasingly powerful nation. We are no longer a passive consumer; today’s Bharat is an emerging supplier and innovator in strategic defense.
Donald Trump’s recent rhetoric must be interpreted against the backdrop of Bharat’s ascent. His claim, that Bharat is funding Russia’s war in Ukraine by purchasing discounted oil, is not just misleading – it is a deliberate distortion. The reality is plain: Europe and China have consistently imported far greater volumes of Russian energy than Bharat. Yet, Trump singles out Bharat as the convenient scapegoat. Why? Because it serves his political purpose of undermining Bharat at the precise moment when our nation is emerging as a global power. Trump’s desperation is also tied to his long-standing craving for international recognition of the Nobel Peace Prize. On multiple occasions, he has exaggerated claims of having stopped wars or brokered peace between nations. In the same vein, he even attempted to take credit for the ceasefire after Operation Sindoor, projecting it as his personal diplomatic achievement. But when Bharat firmly and repeatedly refuted these assertions, Trump’s frustration turned into fury. It is thereafter only that we saw the imposition of tariffs, a 25% duty combined with another 25% penalty. Trump’s move is less about economics and more about politics of envy and insecurity.
Prima facie, this tariff terror reflects Trump’s fear, not of oil imports or trade imbalances, but of Bharat’s rise as global power: economically, militarily, and diplomatically. It is an attempt to curtail Bharat’s wings by weaponizing trade policy under the garb of moral posturing. But, as our Hon’ble Pradhan Mantri ji has often emphasized, “Aapda me Avsar dhoondhna jaruri hai (it is essential to find opportunity in adversity)”, Trump’s tariff terror, intended as punishment, has in fact accelerated the momentum of Bharat’s Swadeshi movement. Instead of weakening us, it has strengthened the national resolve to build, innovate, and rely on our own capacities. What was designed to constrain Bharat may well become the very catalyst of its rise.
The More Dangerous Enemy Within:
What troubles me even more than Trump’s hostility is the conduct of certain Jaichands sitting within Bharat who, knowingly or otherwise, amplify his false narrative. When prominent political figures such as Rahul Gandhi echo external propaganda, the damage is far deeper than any foreign tirade. An external adversary can be confronted at the border; but when internal voices legitimize the enemy’s script, the threat multiplies exponentially. I am reminded of the prescient warning of the late General Bipin Rawat, Bharat’s first Chief of Defence Staff. He cautioned that Bharat must always be prepared for “two and a half fronts” – Pakistan, China, and the “half front” being the internal threats that operate within. His words resonate with unsettling clarity today. Each time sections of the opposition or segments of the media peddle anti-national and anti-establishment rhetoric, one can see exactly what General Rawat meant.
History shows that internal sabotage is often more fatal than external aggression. We have recently seen this in the case of Bangladesh, where internal political divisions were exploited to weaken the state from within. Bharat must learn from such examples, for the internal enemy is always the most insidious.
What I see finally:
Bharat today stands at a historic inflection point. We have demonstrated to the world not only our strength but also our resilience. Yet, that very ascent has provoked conspiracies from abroad and at home. As one who cares deeply for this nation, my view is clear: Bharat must remain vigilant. Donald Trump may continue his games of distortion, Pakistan may persist with its terror project, and certain domestic leaders may amplify hostile narratives. But in the final reckoning, it will be Bharat’s unity, foresight, and courage that will shape our destiny; and in that destiny, I hold an unshakable faith that Bharat is not merely trying; Bharat is destined to rise.
– Authored by K. R. ANAND, Advocate, Supreme Court of India. With over 18 years of professional practice and a deep engagement with Geopolitics, he has tried to pen down his strategic perspective to global affairs.