Model Answer
0 min readIntroduction
India's foreign policy has historically balanced idealism and realism, but recent geopolitical shifts and persistent security challenges, particularly terrorism, have led to a more assertive stance. The Pahalgam terrorist attack on April 22, 2025, which claimed the lives of 26 tourists in Jammu and Kashmir, marked a significant turning point, prompting a robust response from the Indian government. This incident, perceived as a direct challenge to India's sovereignty and its narrative of normalcy in J&K post-Article 370 abrogation, has intensified discussions about a potential pivot towards a 'more aggressive hyper-realist posture' in India's foreign and security policy.
India's Response to the Pahalgam Attack
The Pahalgam attack triggered an immediate and strong reaction from India, demonstrating a departure from previous strategies of strategic restraint. India's Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) outlined a decisive 5-point action plan, signalling a firm response against perceived state-sponsored terrorism.
- Suspension of Indus Waters Treaty (IWT): India unilaterally suspended the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty with Pakistan, a significant move indicating a willingness to use non-military leverages.
- Closure of Attari-Wagah Border: The integrated check post at the Attari-Wagah border was closed, halting cross-border movement of people and goods.
- Cancellation of SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme: Visas for Pakistani nationals under the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme were cancelled, restricting travel.
- Expulsion and Withdrawal of Diplomatic Staff: Pakistani military advisors in New Delhi were declared persona non grata, and India withdrew its own defence advisors from Islamabad, alongside a reduction in overall diplomatic personnel.
- Military Retaliation (Operation Sindoor): On May 7, 2025, India launched "Operation Sindoor," conducting missile strikes targeting alleged terrorist camps in Pakistan. This demonstrated a willingness to undertake pre-emptive and punitive military actions.
Hyper-Realism in India's Foreign Policy
India's response to the Pahalgam attack indeed suggests a momentum towards a 'more aggressive hyper-realist posture'. This is characterized by:
- Zero Tolerance Doctrine: India now views proxy groups as instruments of hostile state policy, treating major attacks as acts of war rather than mere law enforcement issues.
- Pre-emptive Action: The government no longer waits for lengthy attribution cycles or international validation, demonstrating a willingness to act first when its citizens are threatened. Operation Sindoor exemplified this by striking early and deep using advanced military capabilities.
- Collapsing the Line between Proxy Terror and State Responsibility: India holds the sponsoring state directly accountable, rejecting the notion of deniable non-state actors.
- Unilateral Measures: Actions like the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty and diplomatic expulsions were unilateral, reflecting a focus on national interest and a reduced reliance on multilateral consensus for immediate responses to security threats.
- Deterrence Posture: Publicizing modern military acquisitions and swift counter-terrorism operations like Operation Mahadev (launched to neutralize Pahalgam terrorists) projects India as a nation prepared to defend itself decisively, aiming to dissuade adversaries.
While India has long practiced pragmatism and realism, the post-Pahalgam response highlights a more overt and assertive application of these principles, signifying a new security paradigm where strategic restraint is largely eschewed in favor of coercive clarity and immediate, decisive action.
Conclusion
The Pahalgam terrorist strike has undeniably accelerated India's inclination towards a more aggressive hyper-realist posture. The swift and multi-pronged response, encompassing diplomatic, economic, and military measures, indicates a strategic shift from previous doctrines of strategic restraint. This new approach emphasizes direct accountability for state sponsors of terrorism, pre-emptive action, and unilateral measures guided by national interest. While this assertive stance aims to enhance deterrence and protect national security, its long-term implications for regional stability and India's diplomatic engagements require careful navigation, balancing robust security imperatives with the need for sustained diplomatic outreach and de-escalation mechanisms.
Answer Length
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