New Delhi: Because the world reels from the shockwaves of Israel’s precision strikes deep inside Iran, considered one of India’s most famous strategic minds has issued a blunt message to the Modi authorities – study from this. Quick.
Geopolitical analyst Dr. Brahma Chellaney has referred to as Israel’s navy offensive a textbook instance of recent air warfare – one which left Iran nearly speechless and utterly unable to retaliate. The strike not solely flattened sections of the Natanz nuclear advanced, however reportedly killed a number of high Iranian nuclear scientists. It was swift, calculated and overwhelmingly one-sided.
In a publish on micro running a blog platform X, Chellaney wrote, “Based on the primary precept of air warfare, Israel’s opening salvo destroyed Iran’s air defenses and missile launchers, crippling its capability to reply. That allowed deeper and extra surgical strikes to comply with.”
Then got here the punch. “This core precept, sadly, was ignored by India’s political management throughout Operation Sindoor, which initially ordered strikes solely on terror camps inside Pakistan – resulting in the avoidable lack of Indian plane,” he posted.
Consistent with the primary precept of air warfare, Israel’s opening salvos took out Iran’s air defenses and ballistic-missile launchers, paving the way in which for deep-penetration strikes whereas crippling Iran’s capability to reply. This core precept, nonetheless, was ignored by India’s…
— Brahma Chellaney (@Chellaney) June 13, 2025
What Went Flawed Throughout Operation Sindoor?
India’s Operation Sindoor was launched on Might 7 in response to the April 22 terror assault in Pahalgam. The navy response concerned focused airstrikes on at the very least 9 terror hubs in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
Whereas preliminary experiences claimed success, subsequent leaks advised India could have suffered operational losses. Pakistan, with out presenting proof, claimed it had shot down a number of Indian jets, together with a Rafale. Although New Delhi dismissed these claims, it did acknowledge that some harm had occurred.
Chellaney’s criticism is about each – technique and intent. By focusing solely on terrorist camps and sparing Pakistan’s navy infrastructure within the first wave, in accordance with him, India could have missed a window to neutralise its enemy’s counterstrike potential.
Following a barrage of over 300 drones launched by Pakistan that had been neutralised by India’s air protection programs, New Delhi launched a second spherical of assaults – which had been way more decisive. On October 7, India struck and destroyed 11 navy installations inside Pakistan. Among the many targets was the Noor Khan Airbase, usually believed to deal with Islamabad’s nuclear command middle.
Based on intelligence sources, India additionally bombed Kerana Hills and broken Pakistan’s clandestine nuclear amenities.
Dr. Chellaney’s sharp take is a prognosis in addition to a prescription. His message is actual deterrence lies in pace, shock and hitting the place it hurts most. And if India needs to safeguard its borders in an age of uneven and hybrid warfare, it should take a web page out of Israel’s playbook earlier than it’s too late.