New Delhi: In a stark and uncompromising warning to Islamabad, Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) Gen Upendra Dwivedi on Friday said Pakistan must halt its sponsorship of terrorism in India or risk losing its “geographical presence”. Speaking to troops in Rajasthan, Gen Dwivedi declared that India would not show the same restraint if a future operation similar to Operation Sindoor became necessary.
Strong message from the frontlines
Addressing soldiers at Anupgarh in Sriganganagar district, Gen Dwivedi said: “India is fully prepared this time. And this time, we will not show the restraint that we showed in Operation Sindoor 1.0. This time we will take a step forward and act in a manner that will make Pakistan think whether it wants to remain on the world map or not.” The remarks underline a clear signal from the top army leadership that India’s tolerance for cross-border terrorism has limits and that military options remain firmly on the table.
The COAS’s statement came a day after Defence Minister Rajnath Singh warned that any misadventure by Pakistan in the Sir Creek sector of Gujarat would trigger an Indian response “so strong and decisive that it would change both history and geography.” Together, these statements mark a firm and coordinated posture from India’s political and military leadership.
Review of operational preparedness
Gen Dwivedi also visited the Bikaner Military Station to review operational readiness and interact with troops deployed at forward locations. He was briefed on operational matters, technology infusion, and the integration of forces with other security agencies. The COAS urged personnel to remain vigilant and fully prepared, saying: “Keep yourselves fully prepared now; if God wills, the opportunity will come soon.”
Air Chief Marshal A P Singh, Chief of the Air Staff, underlined the disciplined conduct of India’s military during Operation Sindoor, noting that the mission began with “clear objectives” and concluded once those aims were met. He said the world should learn from India’s calibrated use of force.
Operation Sindoor: reminders and claims
Gen Dwivedi reiterated the official narrative surrounding Operation Sindoor, saying the Indian military had identified and struck nine targets inside Pakistan during the operation — seven by the Army and two by the Air Force. He said India had provided evidence of terrorist hideouts inside Pakistan to the international community and that this revelation rallied global support for India’s action in the aftermath of the April 22 Pahalgam attack.
“We identified specific targets as we only wanted to harm the terrorists and aimed to strike their bases. We have no complaints against ordinary Pakistani citizens. Because terrorists were being sponsored, those terrorist targets were hit,” the COAS said, emphasising that India’s operations were targeted rather than indiscriminate.
Political-military coordination and public posture
The sharp rhetoric from both the Ministry of Defence and the Army leadership signals a unified government approach: public deterrence through strong statements coupled with readiness on the ground. Analysts note that such messaging serves multiple purposes — deterring future cross-border provocations, reassuring domestic political constituencies, and signalling India’s red lines to international partners.
However, defence experts also caution that public statements of this nature are double-edged: while they may deter, they also raise regional tensions and require careful diplomatic calibration to avoid unintended escalation. India’s diplomatic channels and multilateral engagements will therefore be closely watched in the coming weeks.
Reactions and regional implications
Though official responses from Islamabad were not immediately available, past patterns suggest Pakistan will likely respond through diplomatic protest at official forums and possibly seek international mediation or support. The broader South Asian security environment — already tense after recent cross-border incidents and counterterrorism exchanges — could see heightened alert levels and increased deployments along sensitive sectors such as the Line of Control and western borders.
International partners, especially those with strategic ties to both India and Pakistan, may call for restraint while urging mechanisms for de-escalation and verification of facts on the ground. Military analysts point out that modern conflict management increasingly relies on back-channel diplomacy and confidence-building measures even as public postures remain firm.
Conclusion
Gen Upendra Dwivedi’s warning on Friday represents one of the strongest public notices from India’s military leadership in recent months. By stating that India would not repeat the restraint shown earlier if provoked again, the COAS has reiterated New Delhi’s insistence on zero tolerance for state-sponsored terrorism. The message is unambiguous: India is prepared to act decisively to protect its security interests — but such statements also place a premium on careful diplomatic management to prevent escalation. As tensions simmer, the coming days will test the balance between deterrence and dialogue in a fraught regional context.